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Pre-Natal 



Culture 



ieibwkk 



NEWTON 



Pre-Natal Culture. 

SUGGESTIONS TO PARENTS 



RELATIVE TO 



SYSTEMATIC METHODS OF MOULDING THE TEN- 
DENCIES OF OFFSPRING BEFORE BIRTH. 



By A. E. NEWTON, 

Author of '* The Better Way," &c. 



1 6 r, 



INTRODUCTION BY 

ALICE B. STOCKHAM, M. D./*^' 



Author of "Tokology.' 



"To the well-born child all the virtues are natural, and not painfully acquired."— 
R. W. Emerson. 

"In our birth * * * we have whole rivers of predispositions, good or bad, set 
running in ug — as much more powerful to shape our future than all tuitional and 
regulative influences that come alter, as they are earlier in their beginning, deeper 
in their insertion and more constant in their ope ation." — Rev. Dr. Bushnell. 



CHICAGO : 

Alice B. Stockham & Co., 

1893. 



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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1893, 

BY 

A. B. STOCKHAM & CO., 
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Mr. A. E. Newton rendered the greatest possible service to 
humanity when he wrote Prenatal Culture. In this brochure 
he has treated the subject delicately and intelligently. He 
has given a high ideal to parentage and eloquently portrayed 
the mother's influence on the child. He recognizes the unity 
of all things, the close relation of mother and child and the 
possible mastery of spirit. 

The expectant mother reading this book becomes conscious 
of her relation with the creative power of the universe. This 
consciousness gives her such a lofty conception of life that 
she is lifted above all anxiety for herself and child. By this 
knowledge of spiritual law she knows that her child is, like 
herself an independent, individualized manifestation of spirit 
and that she in her maternal relation is simply the guardian 
and director of the young life. This life is and always must 
be a free life. No one thought will aid a mother more in her 
self training than this. In the development of the thought 
of freedom for the child, her great mother love becomes an 
unselfish love. Her desire is to be and do for the child with- 

(5) 



6 INTRODUCTION. 

out any thought of what he is to be or do for her. This 
knowledge and recognition of freedom for the child frees him 
from the effects of unpleasant impressions. It is a law of the 
real life, the spiritual life, which all may live now and at all 
times. In this knowledge the mother and child both cease 
to live in the life of the senses and freed from this bondage, 
life becomes a perpetual joy. This is rebirth, it is becoming 
supreme to the laws of matter. It is the true life in which 
there are no fears, anxieties and perplexities. The mother's 
life is one of peace, joy and tranquility. The child's life is 
one of perfect unfoldment. 

Any woman not having attained to the knowledge of spiri- 
tual life and the peace it brings, can train herself into this 
knowledge, this joyful recognition. It is possible to do this 
by and through conscious volition. She need not wait for a 
miraculous interposition. It is in her own power to effect 
this change in her life. Let her quietly and trustingly say 
over and over again, " I am spirit, and in the production of 
this child I am in harmony with the omnipresent creative 
spirit of the universe. In myself I recognize the power to 
overcome and master all external conditions, I am. Spirit.'" 
Remember words are the sword of tlie spirit and the repetition of 
words brings the condition or realization of the thought ex- 
pressed. This is an incontrovertible law. These words are 



INTRODUCTION. 7 

a prayer of trust, of expectation and their reiteration will 
certainly bring the power and harmony you need. You thus 
make the highest condition of life for yourself and for your 
child. Thus dear mothers, no matter what bondage you may 
be in, whether it be sickness, sorrow or trouble you have it in 
your power to lift yourself above their effects. Freeing your- 
self from them, you also free your child. Hereditary tenden- 
cies of body, mind or character are overcome in the same way. 
The full understanding and recognition of your right to health 
and freedom merely brings health and freedom. 

The mission of Prenatal Culture is to give you an under- 
standing of this far reaching and potent law. 

Alice B. Stockham, M. D., 

Jan. 1st, 1898. Evanston, 111. 



PREFACE. 



That a mother may, during the period of gestation, exercise 
some influence, by her own voluntary mental and physical 
action, either unwittingly or purposely (and aside from the 
usual involuntary action of the laws of heredity), in determin- 
ing the traits and tendencies of her offspring, is now a com- 
mon belief among intelligent people. But probably few have 
any definite understanding of the process by which such 
results are effected, or conception of the extent to which this 
process may be controlled, by intelligent purpose and wise 
direction, for the benefit of our children and the improvement 
of our race. 

No more important subject can engage the attention of 
parents, and it is believed there is none in which intelligent 
and loving mothers will take a deeper interest when once 
made intelligible to them. 

In the hope of throwing some additional light upon this 
momentous problem, by means of suggestions and consider- 
ations which the author has met with in no other work, and 
which it is believed will be found practically useful to those 



Preface. 

whose high privilege it may be to usher into the world the 
men and women of the future, these pages are written. 

In a previously published essay, entitled " The Better Way," 
the writer has expressed the seemingly extravagant conviction, 
founded on facts, some of which are there stated, that " it is 
for the mother, by the use of appropriate means (provided a 
sufficient organic capacity has been germinally contributed by 
the father, and provided, also, the mother's efforts are properly 
seconded by the father), to produce a poet, a thinker, an 
artist, an inventor, a philanthropist, or any other type of 
manhood or womanhood, desirable or undesirable, as she 
will." 

If this, or any near approximaticn to it, is possible, it is 
surely worth the while of every intending mother, and father 
also, to make an effort to know in what these appropriate 
means consist, and how to apply them successfully. 



TOPICS DISCUSSED. 



Introduction by Alice B. Stockham, M. D. - - 5 

Praface 9 

The Law of Embryonic Moulding - - - - 11 

Chance vs. Intelligent Purpose - ■- -. - - 14 

Importance of System 17 

Antecedent Preparations - - - - - 19 

Eegeneration Should Precede Generation - 23 

Is it Practicable? - - 26 

Help is at Hand - - - - 28 

Eight Living - - - 30 

Aspiration 34 

Faith a Kecuperative Agency ----- 36 

Higher Possibilities 38 

Hope for All 43 

A Parental Providence 43 

The Divine Overshadowing - - - - - 45 

Special Interior Leadings - - - - 46 

Adaptations - - 48 

Methods of Embryo Culture 49 

Specific Suggestions — First Stage - - - 55 

Second Stage - - - 59 

Third Stage ... 60 

Fourth Stage - - - 62 

Fifth Stage - - - - 63 

Gereral Eemarks ------- 64 

The Father's Share in the Work - 67 

Conferring Special Tendencies — Genius - - 68 

Times and Seasons 72 

Conclusion 78 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 



THE LAW OF EMBRYONIC MOULDING. 

An author, Dr. Brittan, who has given much study to the 
occult problems of human life, in "Man and his Relations," 
gives the following very reasonable hypothesis as to the law 
or process of embryonic moulding : " The singular effects 
produced on the unborn child by the sudden mental emotions 
of the mother are remarkable examples of a kind of electro- 
yping on the sensitive surfaces of living forms. It is doubt- 
less true that the mind's action, in such cases, may increase 
or diminish the molecular deposits in the several portions of 
the system. The precise place which each separate particle 
assumes in the new organic structure may be determined by 
the influence of thought or feeling. If, for example, there 
exists in the mother any unusual tendency of the vital forces 
to the brain at the critical period, there will be a similar cere- 
bral development and activity in the offspring." 

In illustration and confirmation of this law, the same 
author gives the following facts : 

" A lady, who, during the period of gestation, was chiefly 
employed in reading the poets and in giving form to her day- 
dreams of the ideal world, at the same time gave to her child 
(in phrenological parlance) large Ideality and a highly imagin- 
ative turn of mind. 

" Some time since we met with a youth who had finely 
moulded limbs and a symmetrical form throughout. His 

(ii) 



12 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

mother has a large, lean, attenuated frame, that does not 
offer so much as a single suggestion of the beautiful. The 
boy is doubtless indebted for his fine form to the presence of 
a beautiful French lithograph in his mother's sleeping apart- 
ment, and which presented for her contemplation the faultless 
form of a naked child." 

The electrotyping process referred to in the above quotation 
may not be familiar to every reader. It consists in causing, 
by means of electrical agency, the deposit of fine particles of 
metal (as gold, silver or copper) dissolved in a powerful acid, 
upon the surface of any article which it is desired should 
receive a coating of such metal. Gilding, silver-plating and 
copper-facing are now executed to a large extent by this 
curious process, the coating of metal thus deposited becoming 
exceedingly compact and durable, and capable of being made 
of any desirable thickness, proportionate to the time occupied 
in the process. It is reasonable to suppose that by a some- 
what similar process, effected by the vital forces of the mother, 
and to some extent controllable by her mental operations and 
emotions, are deposited the molecules of matter which go to 
form the human embryo in all its various parts. 

A striking fact, in further illustration of the same law, is 
given by the author of the valuable book entitled " Husband 
and Wife." 

It is to this effect : A teacher in a Western State had under 
her instruction five children belonging to one family. " The 
two eldest were dull, inert, and slow to learn ; while the third, 
a girl about twelve years of age, was remarkably bright, sen- 
sitive and talented. Not only apt and quick at her lessons, 
she possessed a fine poetic temperament, accompanied by a 
keen appreciation of the beauties of nature ; she could also 
write a theme in prose or verse with ease and facility. The 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE, 18 

children younger than this one were both physically and 
mentally superior to the two eldest, but far inferior to her in 
talent and refinement of manners." These differences were 
so marked that the teacher's curiosity was excited to learn 
the cause. Becoming intimately acquainted with the mother 
(who at first could assign no reason for the diversity), the 
teacher at length ascertained the following facts: Some 
months prior to the birth of the favored child, the mother 
(who, though reared in an Eastern State, in the enjoyment 
of fair advantages, had become the wife of a farmer in a new 
country, deprived of literary and social privileges, and over- 
worked in the struggle to acquire a competence) had her 
attention attracted to a volume of Walter Scott's poems, 
brought to the house by a traveling peddler, and she was so 
seized with a desire to possess and read the book that, not 
having at hand the money to purchase it, she had walked four 
miles at night to borrow of a friend a sufficient sum for the 
purpose. " And a glorious time I had in reading it," she 
said; "for often in the perusal of its pages I forgot my 
fatigues and cares." Having read the book so often that 
she came to know much of it by rote, she used to sing the 
songs to the child when an infant, and afterward to repeat 
the stories to her when a little girl. Here, no doubt, was the 
source of the superior intelligence, refinement and poetic 
tendencies of the child. 

Dr. Elam, in " A Physician's Problem's," quotes Sir A. 
Carlisle as saying that " many years since an old schoolmaster 
had told him that, in the course of his personal experience, he 
had observed a remarkable difference in the capacities of 
children for learning, which was connected with the education 
and aptitude of their parents; that the children of people ac- 
customed to arithmetic learned figures quicker than those of 



14 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

differently educated persons ; while the children of classical 
scholars more easily learned Latin and Greek; and that, 
notwithstanding a few striking exceptions, the natural dull- 
ness of children born of uneducated parents was proverbial." 

Every observant teacher could doubtless bear witness to 
the same general facts, and it would be easy to fill a volume 
with testimonials from various sources illustrative and con- 
firmatory of the law under discussion. Such facts seem to 
establish beyond question the conviction that the mother has 
it largely in her power, by the use of suitable means, to confer on 
her child (not, indeed, the knowledge which she may herself 
have acquired, but) such a tendency of mind and confirmation of 
brain as shall not only facilitate the acquisition of knowledge 
in any specific direction, but make it morally certain that such 
knowledge will be sought and acquired. 

Not only this, but they indicate also that any desired type 
of physical beauty may be conferred, even where the mother 
possesses no such quality. 

And if this be true in respect to ordinary intellectual abili* 
ties and physical features, it must be equally true in regard to 
extraordinary mental gifts — the qualities of genius of every 
type — and of all moral dispositions and spiritual tendencies as 
well. 

CHANCE vs. INTELLIGENT PURPOSE. 

But it will be noted that in the cases thus far narrated, as 
in those usually given to the public bearing on this topic, the 
moulding power we are considering appears to have been 
exercised merely by accident or chance; that is, without any 
intelligent purpose on the part of mothers to produce the 
results that have followed. 

Can there be any doubt that the same or similar means, if 
purposely and wisely adopted, and applied with the greater 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 15 

care and precision which enlightened intention would secure, 
would produce, under the same law, even more perfect 
results? 

And if it be a fact, as affirmed by Dr. Brittan, that " any 
unusual tendency of the vital forces to the brain [of the 
mother] at the critical period " will produce " a similar cere- 
bral development and activity in the offspring," is it not 
altogether probable, also, that an intentional direction of the 
vital or mental forces to any particular portion of the brain 
will cause a development and activity in the corresponding 
portion of the brain of the offspring? 

There seems to be no reasonable ground on which these 
propositions can be denied. ^^ 

If, then, we accept, as many do, the theory of modern 
phrenology, and regard the brain as made up of a congeries of 
organs, which are the instruments of distinct faculties of the 
mind or soul, it follows that if the mother during gestation 
maintains a special activity of any one organ, or group of 
organs, in her brain, she thereby causes a more full develop- 
ment of the corresponding organ or group in the brain of the 
fetus, and thus determines a tendency to special activity of 
the faculties, of which such organs are the instruments, in 
the child. 

And, further, it is plain that if any one organ or faculty 
may be thus cultivated before birth, and its activity enhanced 
for life, so may any other — and so may all. 

It would seem, then, clearly within the bounds of possibility 
that a mother, by pursuing a systematic and comprehensive 
method, may give a well rounded and harmoniously developed 
organism to her child — and this notwithstanding even her 
own defects, which, under the unguided operation of hereditary 
law, are likely to be repeated in her offspring. Or it is within 



16 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

her power to impart a leading tendency in any specific direc- 
tion that she may deem desirable for a life of the highest 
usefulness. 

In this way, it would seem, ancestral defects and undesir- 
able hereditary traits, of whatever nature or however strong, 
may be overcome, or in a good degree counterbalanced by 
giving greater activity to counteracting tendencies ; and, in 
this way, too, it would appear, the coveted gifts of genius may 
be conferred. 

But some may object that the phrenological theory relative 
to the division of the brain into a congeries of separate organs 
is not and cannot be demonstrated. Very well. The fact 
still remains in every one's consciousness, that our minds or 
souls possess a variety of powers or faculties, in some sense 
distinct; and the evidence still holds good that the mother, 
by the special exercise of any one faculty during the critical 
period referred to, can and does create a special tendency to 
the activity of the same faculty in her offspring, which may 
last throughout its earthly life. 

And since it is on the activity, or the lack of it, of the 
several faculties and propensities of our nature that the 
characters of individuals depend — their loveliness or defor- 
mity, their morality or immorality, their success or failure in 
life, their happiness or wretchedness here and hereafter — and 
since the welfare and progress of humanity as a whole is 
determined by the characters of individuals — and since, 
again, the tendencies for good or evil woven into the very 
woof and texture of the embryo evidently have greater power 
in shaping the characters and acts of individuals than all the 
training and discipline of childhood and youth— this matter of 
culture before birth assumes an importance far above that 
which pertains to any and all other departments of education. 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 17 

Hitherto it has been least and last in the estimation of man- 
kind generally. The time must come when the last shall 

BE FIRST. 

To recapitulate : we seem justified by present physiological 
knowledge in stating the law of pre-natal moulding to be 
somewhat as follows ; The human embryo (the structural 
basis of which is probably contributed by the father) is formed 
and developed in all its parts, even to the minutest details, by 
and through the action of the vital, mental and spiritual 
forces of the mother, which forces act in and through the 
corresponding portions of her own organism. And while 
this process may go forward unconsciously, or without the 
mother's voluntary participation or direction, in which case 
the results are measurably uncertain or chance-determined, 
(or, perhaps, more strictly speaking, shaped by influences 
extraneous to her own will), yet she may consciously and pur- 
posely so direct her activities as with a good degree of certainty 
to accomplish specifically-desired ends in determining the 
traits and qualities of her offspring. 

In other words, it would seem to be within the mother's 
power, by the voluntary and intelligent direction of her own 
forces, in orderly and systematic methods, to both mould the 
physical form to lines of beauty and shape the mental, moral 
and spiritual features of her child to an extent to which no 
limit can be assigned. 

IMPORTANCE OF SYSTEM. 

The methods by which the tendencies of offspring may be 
shaped before birth are indicated in a general way by the 
facts arfd observations already set forth. But that this mo- 
mentous work may be performed with anything like complete- 
ness, so that not only each department, physical, mental and 



18 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

moral, shall receive its due proportion of attention, and at 
the proper time, but also that each specific faculty of the in- 
tellect and of the moral nature shall be given the requisite 
impetus to result in a well-balanced and harmonious character, 
would seem to require the pursuit of some well-devised plan 
or system in the application of methods. 

This is probably as important in pre-natal as in post-natal 
culture. No one thinks of conducting a common primary 
school without an order of exercises, and such a curriculum of 
studies as shall, by progressive steps, cover the whole ground 
desired within the allotted time. If the course of procedure 
were left to chance, or to the impulse of the moment, it is 
pretty certain that much would be overlooked and neglected, 
and much done out of place and therefore to little purpose. 
So in the process of embryotic moulding, if it be left merely 
to the ordinary action of the laws of heredity, with the chance- 
occurrence of modifying influences, as is usually the case, 
what else can be expected than that parental or ancestral 
traits, good or bad, will strongly preponderate in the child, 
with now and then an erratic variation, desirable or undesira- 
ble, and perhaps a sad deficiency of some faculty or quality 
important to wholeness. Every wise and loving parent must 
desire to confer on offspring wholeness and soundness in 
every part. 

Besides, if the mother has before her mind a definite plan 
and purpose, to the execution of which she is directing and 
disciplining her energies, she will doubtless be thereby meas- 
urably guarded and fortified against the often disastrous 
effects of surprises and sudden emotions. 

But it will be apparent to everyone that the work of pre- 
natal culture, however intelligently and systematically under- 
taken, cannot effect its best results if the mother's attention 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 19 

to the subject is limited merely to the nine or twelve months 
next preceding birth. Before attempting, then, to suggest a 
plan for orderly and systematic procedure during the season 
of gestation, let us first give some attention to the matter of 

ANTECEDENT PREPARATIONS 

Great as may be the effects produced by judicious manage- 
ment during pregnancy, yet these effects must be subject to 
important modifications by previous life -habits, long-indulged 
tendencies, weaknesses, diseases of whatever nature, in both 
parents and in their ancestors on both sides. 

Some persons, indeed, question whether any marked im- 
provement can be realized in a single generation. An in- 
telligent and valued correspondent of the writer thinks him 
inclined to " greatly over-rate the direct control which parents 
in any one generation may exercise over their offspring, and 
still more the effect of voluntary mental and physical states at 
the time of conception ; " and he adds : " Our children are 
affected by our habitual states, rather than by any transient 
assumption of habits, or any impulses or moods which pre- 
vail at the given date. The father is not what he just 
then wishes or resolves to be ; he is what he has been making 
himself all his life, and what his ancestors made him. The 
cosmic forces require time in which to deploy themselves and 
produce new results, and cannot turn about at once in any 
masculine or feminine organ. Their field is the world and 
the ages." 

While there is truth in this statement, it is plainly but one 
side of a very complex truth. Numerous facts indicate that 
offspring may be affected, and their tendencies shaped, by a 
great variety of influences, and from diverse sources, among 
which moods and impulses more or less transient in the 
parents may be included. 



20 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

If it were not so, all children born of the same parents 
within a few years of each other, should be substantially alike 
in dispositions and abilities. Especially should this be the 
case with all twins, who are doubtless begotten, if not at the 
same moment, at farthest within a few hours of each other. 
But the well-known fact is that children nearest of age in the 
same family often differ markedly in their characteristics, and 
even twins, in some cases, exhibit very striking contrarieties 
of disposition, quality, and even of physical features — indicat- 
ing, no doubt, a marked change of state, from some cause, in 
one or both parents, between the times of their inception, 
since all subsequent affective influences must have been 
shared alike by them. 

The power of vivid sensational and mental impressions to 
directly modify to some extent the action of the cosmic forces 
in embryo life, has been recognized in all ages, at least since 
Jacob's successful experiment with Laban's flocks. The 
" peeled stakes " set up at the drinking places of the cattle, 
imparted a "transient impulse," but a most effective one for 
Jacob's interests. " The Greeks " (says a writer in the Popu- 
lar Science Monthly for January, 1879) " believed so strongly 
in the potency of pre-natal conditions that they not only 
guarded mothers who were bearing with the kindest care, but 
used even to surround them with beautiful works of art, that 
the imagination might act a favorable part." 

There is, however, no doubt, more or less of uncertainty 
attending the action of transient impulses. The most there- 
fore, that we can say with safety is, that our children are 
pretty sure, under the constant forces of heredity, to be en- 
stamped by our habitual states, while they are also liable to be 
powerfully affected in their dispositions and tendencies by 
even the transient assumption of habits, or by impulses or 
moods that may prevail at conception or during gestation. 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 21 

It is manifestly important, then, to the best results, that 
both our habitual tastes and our transient impulses should be 
such as will bless and not curse our offspring— important to 
have all these sources of influences wholly on the side of 
nobleness, virtue, and beauty of character in all respects. To 
this end, does it not behoove every one who aspires to the 
god-like honor of begetting a being in his or her own likeness, 
to first enter in thorough earnest upon the work of self-im- 
provement, self -discipline, and moral and spiritual purgation ? 
Is it not incumbent upon all such by no means to attempt or 
consent to become instrumental in initiating a new life until 
reasonably sure of not imparting the taint of moral or physi- 
cal evils to curse its existence? Can any stronger motive to 
self-improvement be presented to a conscientious mind than 
this consideration affords? And can any time in life be too 
early to begin this work? A lady having much experience as 
an instructor of youth informs the writer that she has found 
the presentation of this motive a most effective means of 
awakening the interest and arousing the endeavors of girls 
and young women in the direction of both physical and moral 
culture. 

All should remember that children have rights which are as 
sacred as can be those of any other beings; and among the first 
of these is the eight to be well-born. 

It hardly need be said, except for the woeful thoughtlessness 
that often exists on the subject, that so momentous an under- 
taking as the originating and nurturing of a young immortal — 
a being that is to enjoy or suffer throughout eons of existence, 
and that is to bless or curse its fellows on earth through un- 
known generations, largely according to the characteristics 
enstamped on it by its parents — it hardly need be said that 
such an undertaking should be left in no avoidable degree to 



22 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

chance or accident. Above all, it should not be (as it so often 
is) the haphazard result of blind passion, or mere pleasure- 
seeking indulgence. Eealizing the august responsibilities in- 
volved, both parents should not only act with intelligent fore- 
thought and deliberate intention, but surely should make the 
best preparation in themselves and their surroundings of 
which they are capable. 

Since "like beget3 like," on every plane of existence, it is 
evident that the preparations referred to should include every 
department of the being. We are told that the women of 
ancient Sparta exercised in gymnasiums in order to attain the 
highest bodily vigor, preparatory to the exercise of maternity. 
That practice, or its equivalent, may well be revived ; or, 
better, women, from childhood, should be taught to practice 
such physical exercises as will develop and preserve the best 
bodily health and vigor. It should be remembered that ordi- 
nary occupations, even of the more active kinds, exercise but 
a part of the muscles of the body. The whole should be 
brought into frequent action for the fullest vigor. 

But the physical robustness and power of endurance for 
which the Spartans were noted are by no means all that is 
desirable in our day. A universal culture is now demanded. 
The mental, affectional, moral, aesthetical, and spiritual de- 
partments of our being require no less development and full- 
ness of expression in us, if we would do our noblest work and 
discharge our full duty to our offspring. 

But the self-culture from which these result is not the work 
of a day or even a year. In fact, the whole previous life is 
none too long a period in which to prepare for so serious an 
undertaking as the reproduction of one's self. The earlier, 
therefore, the young of both sexes can be intelligently in- 
structed in these matters, and impressed with the importance 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 28 

of living for those who may come after them, the better may 
they become fitted for the highest responsibilities of life. 

REGENERATION SHOULD PRECEDE GENERATION. 

" Like begets like," as a general rule, because, doubtless, 
in that most wonderful and mysterious process, the elabora- 
tion of the human germ — one portion (the positive) in the 
male organism, and the other (the negative) in the female — 
by a chemistry too subtle for human analysis, the actual 
elements or essences of every part of one's being, physical, 
mental and moral, are extracted and compounded, in in- 
finitessimal yet potential quantities, to be reproduced in the 
new being created by their union. If the taint of physical 
disease, of mental unsoundness, or of moral obliquity, lurks 
in the system of either parent, it is liable (perhaps not always 
certain) to be infused into the germ, and thus to be repro- 
duced after its kind. 

Some persons have imagined that because the impregnating 
germ contributed by the male parent is of microscopic dimen- 
sions, it matters little what his character or qualities may be. 
But this opinion is contrary to all evidence, and to the 
analogies of the animal and vegetable worlds. The potency 
of spiritual elements or forces is by no means determined by 
the physical dimensions of their vehicle. While the mother 
may, no doubt, do much by appropriate management toward 
modifying and counter-balancing in manifestation the traits, 
good or bad, of the father, nevertheless the latter evidently 
furnishes a sort of subtratum of character which is difficult if 
not impossible of entire eradication. Hence, in human 
culture, as in agriculture, good seed is of no less importance 
than good soil. 

This being so, the importance, on the part of both parents, 



24 - PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

of attaining both physical health and mental- and moral 
soundness — or of what in religious phraseology has been 
termed " regeneration and sanctification " — before reproduc- 
tion is attempted, will be apparent to every one. 

The terms just quoted, no doubt, are often misunderstood 
and their true and full meaning unperceived. Eegeneration 
signifies, literally, generation again, or a second birth. In our 
first birth, which is "of the flesh," we come into conscious 
life as individual beings, impelled by selfish animal instincts, 
or " fleshly desires." The child's first impulses, like those of 
the animal, center in self; it knows nothing of, cares nothing 
for, the welfare of others. This is one grade of conscious 
existence, very well in its place, but not the highest of which 
human beings are capable. Unlike the animal, we have the 
capacity to become spiritual beings. The germ of a spiritual 
nature is doubtless present in us from the first, but it needs 
to be quickened and developed into conscious activity, as has 
been the germ of the animal. When this takes place, earlier 
or later, under impregnative spiritual influences, then we ex- 
perience a second birth — a new life is born within us, we enter 
upon a higher grade of conscious existence. One characteristic 
of this new spiritual consciousness is regard and care for others, 
instead of for self or, in other words, universal love. When 
once the spiritual selfhood has been born into consciousness, 
it tends to become the ruling power in us, and in proportion 
as its divine promptings are heeded, it will overcome and re- 
move all the evils and impurities of the animal or selfish 
nature. 

" Sanctifieation " means becoming sane, sound or whole, 
(holy), and it should be understood in a physical as well as a 
moral and spiritual sense. It is a more or less progressive 
work, consequent upon regeneration, or the awakening of the 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 25 

spiritual consciousness. Its full result is to render us whole, 
or holy, sound, healthy beings, in body, mind and spirit. No 
one, certainly, can question the desirability of this, whatever 
may be thought of its practicability. 

It is plain that when once the germinal elements of disease 
and of moral evils shall have been extirpated in parents* 
such elements cannot be transmitted to offspring, and the 
latter will then be spared the painful processes of purgation 
which otherwise are rendered necessary. This certainly 
should be a most potent inducement to every intending parent 
to seek to attain this condition, if attainable. Of its attaina- 
bility we will speak further on. 

It is the opinion, indeed, ©f many good, religious people — 
of those called Shakers, in particular — that when men and 
women have become truly regenerated, they should and will 
have nothing more to do with generation. They will then 
leave that noblest and most god-like of human functions to 
such as are still " in the flesh," that is, the unregenerate. 
The common-sense truth, on the contrary, would seem to be 
that not until people have become regenerated, are they at all 
fit for generation. The off- spring of truly regenerate parents 
may be expected to be "regenerate from the womb " — that is, 
their spiritual natures may be so quickened before birth, by 
the activity of the spiritual forces in the parents, that, if 
properly nurtured subsequently, the spiritual in them will 
assume the supremacy from infancy, and maintain it through 
life. Such children will be " born of the spirit " at the out- 
set, and not merely " of the flesh." 

Let us ask ourselves, what right have we to transmit to 
others — to the dear offspring which every true parental heart 
yearns to bless with every gpod, and to guard from every evil 
— what right have we to inflict on them the ills and weak- 



y 



26 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

nesses, the vices and meannesses, which mar and deform 
our own lives ? If we allow the desire for a momentary grat- 
ification to overbear all these considerations, and impel us to 
give origin to a new life regardless of its best interests, what 
else may we expect than that the being thus begotten in our 
unworthy likeness will, when it comes on the stage of action, 
prove equally indifferent to our welfare and that of others? 
Such, alas I is the general characteristic of the children of 
humanity to-day. 

" A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit." 

IS IT PRACTICABLE? 

But it will be asked by many doubting readers, is there 
practically any help for the existing state of things? Are 
there reasonable grounds for hoping that parents in general, 
physically diseased and morally imperfect as they are, may by 
any procees of self -culture, or of spiritual regeneration, attain 
to such a state as that they shall not transmit physical diseases 
or moral obliquities to their offspring ? Can the sexual ap- 
petite, for example, whose imperious demands are the chief 
obstacle to such preparatory culture as has been herein 
recommended, be so regulated by any means as to admit of 
this culture? 

We shall be told that all this threadbare talk about " regen- 
eration " and " sanctification,' , so long heard from the pulpits 
of our popular churches, while very plausible in theory, and 
very desirable in fact, is rarely, if ever, realized in practice ; 
and we shall be pointed to numerous instances of persons pro- 
fessing to have been regenerated and sanctified, in part at 
least, after the prevalent methods, such as clergymen, deacons 
and devout professors of religion, whose children give no 
evidence of inheriting such soundness, either physical or 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 27 

moral, as might be looked for under this theory; while not 
unfrequently the children of these classes have proved to be 
" twofold more the children of hell" (to use a forcible Scrip- 
ture phrase), than those whose parents have made no such 
professions. 

The foregoing are pertinent suggestions, and deserve can- 
did consideration. 

First, as to those cases of seemingly intensified depravity 
in children of professedly religious parents, it may be re- 
marked that, were all the facts known regarding the inception 
and gestation of such, together with the antecedent condition 
of the parents in all respects, it might not be difficult to ac- 
count for their vicious proclivities. So vague, superficial, and 
meager have been the prevalent views, even among the more 
cultivated religious classes, as to what it is to be really re- 
generated and sanctified, and as to how this state may be 
attained — so little regard has been paid to the finer laws of 
adaptation, temperamental and spiritual, between persons 
entering the parental relation — so seldom has the sacred 
right of the mother to choose, in accordance with her own 
highest monitions, the time and the circumstances under 
which she would assume the maternal function been delicately 
respected — so often, indeed, has she been compelled, or made 
to believe it her religious duty to accept this function at the 
husband's imperious desire, even against the vehement protest 
of both soul and body on her part, causing an aversion, if 
not a loathing, which quite unfits her for the proper discharge 
of its duties, and produces most unhappy effects upon the 
temper and tendencies of her offspring — and so shadowy is 
the ordinary faith of even Christians in any available help or 
guidance from superior sources in these important concerns, 
that the common results among religious people, as among 



28 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

others, furnish little indication of what might be, and what 
will be when greater light and wisdom shall have become 
prevalent relative to these matters. 

It is certainly quite possible that a religious profession may 
often hypocritically cloak a persistent indulgence in vicious 
propensities, which will be pretty sure to crop out strongly 
in offspring. These, in an emphatic sense, are the fruits of 
humanity, and " by their fruits shall ye know them." Or» 
indeed, such a profession may honestly consist with a life- 
long and earnest (but misdirected and therefore unavailing) 
struggle against inborn propensities, which latter, under 
certain conditions, are at least liable to be reproduced in 
children. Added to these considerations the further liability 
£hat the proclivities of ancestors more or less remote, on 
either side, even though they may have seemingly leaped over 
intervening generations, may unexpectedly reappear in chil- 
dren without apparent cause (but surely not without actual 
cause, could it only be detected), and we find abundant ex- 
planations of the prevalent state of things, without discredit- 
ing the idea that improvement is practicable. 

HELP IS AT HAND. 

Notwithstanding, then, all the sad experience of common 
life, in suffering the ills entailed upon us by our progenitors 
and in entailing the same upon our offspring, there are 
reasons for the firm conviction that provision exists in the 
constitution of things for the overcoming of hereditary evils, 
so far, at least, that if transmitted at all, it shall be in only 
an ameliorated instead of an intensified form ; if, in fact, 
they may not be entirely eradicated in ourselves. There is 
help at hand to aid us in this work, if we sincerely seek and 
intelligently apply the agencies within our reach, 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 29 

Passing by, for the present, the abundant promises of such 
aid set forth in the Christian scriptures (in which, perhaps, 
many readers, for various reasons, may repose little confi- 
dence), let us see what ground exists for hope in the great 
system of things in which we live, and a part of which we 
are — those indisputable scriptures which are written in the 
laws of the universe and of our own being. 

First, it seems evident, on careful reflection, that the great 
forces of nature, the life-currents of the universe, tend to 
health rather than to disease — to physical, mental, and moral 
soundness, rather than to their opposites. Otherwise, de- 
terioration and degradation, must have been the constant ten- 
dency of the race in all the past, and utter extinction must 
long ere this have been reached. On the contrarv, it is gen- 
erally conceded that notwithstanding all the ignorance, dis- 
ease, vice, and corruption that have existed through all 
historic time, an actual though slow, improvement has taken 
place in both the physical and moral status of the human 
race at large within the historic period. 

Dr. B. W. Eichardson, F. R. S., of England, in a recent 
address, after showing from statistics a marked increase in 
general longevity of human life in England and France in 
the last two hundred years, says: " Side by side with these 
facts of the statist we detect other facts which show that in 
the progress of civilization the actual organic strength and 
build of the man and woman increases. The stalwart 
Englishman of to-day can neither get into the armor nor be 
placed in the sarcophagic of those sons of men who were 
accounted the heroes of the infantile life of the human world." 
A similar progress as regards moral attributes, such as the 
love of justice, kindness, toleration, etc., is apparent from 
even a very superficial knowledge of history. 



80 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

The general tendency of nature to health is also seen in 
what is termed the vis medicatrix naturm — the recuperative 
force of nature — that power present in all living organisms 
which tends at once to heal every wound and to cure every 
disease, and which accomplishes these results when not 
thwarted by obstacles too great to be overcome. Drugs and 
potions never heal; the most they do is to facillitafce the 
operations of this inherent recuperative force. 

In other words, it appears that health and moral excellence are 
normal to human beings, while disease and evil are abnormal. The 
former are in harmony with the great forces, of the universe > 
while the latter are antagonistic to these forces, whose constant 
tendency is to overcome and remove them. 

Now it has been demonstrated, in the scientific propaga- 
tion of animals, that abnormal characteristics are far less 
persistent in transmission than are normal ones. The ten- 
dency of nature's forces is to maintain the normal type. The 
same law doubtless obtains in the human species. The law 
that " like begets like " is thus subject to a modifying princi- 
ple, and one that is full of hope for suffering humanity. Not 
alone do the evils of our nature tend to reproduce themselves, 
but by virtue of this natural reversion to what is normal, 
healthful and improving, the goods and excellences have a still 
better chance of survival — provided adverse influences can be kept 
in abeyance, so that the salutary life-currents of the universe shall 
be unobstructed. 

How, then, may this be done? The answer is: First, by 

RIGHT LIVING. 

We must cease to nourish the germs of physical disease and 
moral evil implanted in us by our progenitors, and avoid 
generating more of the same in ourselves. To do this we 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 31 

must cease those unphysiological habits of diet and regimen 
in general, and those impure habits of thought and feeling, in 
which such germs have their origin. In other words, we must 
learn the laws or conditions of physical and moral healthy and 
conform our lives to them. 

To be more specific, we must cease to ruin our stomachs 
and destroy our digestive powers by the use of indigestible hot 
bread, pastry, greasy food, complicated and highly-spiced 
dishes, and all the many abominations of modern unhygienic 
cookery. We must abstain from slop-fed swine's flesh, that 
prolific generator of scrofula and trichince, and from the flesh 
of all animals slaughtered in diseased conditions, or treated 
after slaughtering in such a manner as to fill it with disease- 
producing germs — and this will exclude nearly all the flesh 
meats sold in our city shambles, whether fresh, salted, or 
dried. (In fact, so general has become the practice of 
fattening animals for slaughter by artificial and disease -gen- 
erating processes or of slaughtering them after transportation 
for long distances, subject to maddening tortures from hun- 
ger and thirst, over-crowding and terror, that the only safety 
is in total abstinence from butchers' meat.) We must also 
abjure those common narcotic and alchoholic beverages (as tea, 
coffee, beer, wines, etc.), which, under the guise of stimulating 
only weaken and lower the tone of the nervous system, creating 
a demand for more and more of the same deceptive stimulants 
until the unfortunate victim comes to imagine them " neces- 
saries of life.*' We must beware, too, of inhaling the foul 
atmospheres of un ventilated apartments, crowded assemblies 
and miasmatic localities, which are full of morbific germs. 
And, on the other hand, we must learn to content ourselves 
with the simple, nutritious and healthful foods, chiefly from 
the vegetable kingdom (including, of course, the cereals, fruits 



32 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

and nuts), which experience shows most conducive to bodily 
soundness, mental vigor, and moral purity; we must be 
much in the open air; exercise duly all parts of the muscular 
system; dress rationally instead of fashionably , bathe often 
and thoroughly, in order to rid the system of effete matters 
which become poisonous by retention in the pores of the skin ; 
and, in short, must practice all those rules of hygiene which 
sanitary science has found requisite to the highest bodily 
health. So much, at least, must commend itself to the good 
sense of every reader. 

The matter of dress, above alluded to, is of far greater im- 
portance to general right living — not merely during the period 
fo pregnancy, but through all the previous life — than most 
people think; so great, indeed, as to justify further remark in 
this connection. Any method of compressing the body about 
the waist, chest, or abdomen tends, as every one can perceive, 
to crowd the abdominal vicera down upon the delicate parts 
located in the pelvic region, producing irritation, inflamma- 
tions, and various " female weaknesses." This devitalizes the 
organs of reproduction, and in greater or less degree unfits them 
for their proper function when called into use. It also greatly 
increases the labor and dangers of child-bearing. Besides, 
such compression, by either sex, interferes with the free cir- 
culation of the blood, tending to congest the pelvic organs, 
and thus to stimulate inordinate sexual excitement, leading to 
wasteful excesses. These tendencies are further aggravated 
by the wearing of an excessive amount of clothing about those 
portions of the body as often required by fashion's dictates, 
keeping them at to high a temperature. Men are less 
addicted to this practice of compression than are women, yet 
the custom of dispensing with suspenders and tightening the 
lower garments above the hips is becoming somew hat preva- 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 83 

lent among young men. Corsets, even, are worn by some 
effeminate exquisites. Such fashions are unnatural and 
irrational, and will be discarded by all who are seeking a true 
life. 

It is plain to be seen that one who carefully regards these* 
conditions of health stands in a far different relation to the 
life-giving, health -imparting forces of the universe from that 
occupied by one who, through a disregard of these conditions 
is constantly thwarting the recuperative tendencies of nature^ 
and is nourishing and adding to the morbid proclivities derived 
from ancestry. The former is co-operating with the beneficent 
forces of the universe on the side of health and improvement; 
the latter is continually antagonizing the same forces on the 
side of disease and depravation. In the former the tendencies 
to health are likely to become positive or ascendant, and hence 
more liable to be transmitted ; in the latter, the proclivities to 
disease are kept in such constant activity that they are almost 
sure to reproduce themselves in offspring, and often with 
intensified force. 

But correct habits of diet and regimen are not the whole 
of right living. Thought and feeling should also be pure and 
elevated. There can be no question in minds well informed 
but that impure and unkind thoughts, debased, selfish and 
malevolent feelings cherished by any one, no matter how 
secretly, generate a subtle poisonous virus, which envelops 
the person, and is more or less imparted to all who come in 
contact. Persons of keen and pure sensibilities often scent 
these impure and malignant atmospheres, and instinctively 
shrink from their possessors, they may not know why. There 
are good reasons for believing that many physical diseases, or 
at least morbid tendencies, as well as moral perversities, have 
their origin in the subtle, malign influences of impure thought 



84 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

and evil passion. At all events, it is well known tliat cheer- 
ful good -will and generous affections tend to promote health 
of body and mind in their possessor and all about him; while 
selfishness, hatred, revenge and the like, tend in the opposite 
direction. All right and pure emotions are doubtless in har- 
mony with the life -forces of the universe, and thus invite their 
salutary action upon the whole system ; while impure and 
malevolent feelings are discordant with nature, repellant to 
her divine forces, and conducive to disorder and misery. 

Again, the healthful action of the universal life-currents in 
our organisms may doubtless be promoted by 

ASPIRATION. 

This is the upward-reaching faculty of our spirits — the 
"heavenward window" of the soul — the gateway through 
which, if held open, we may come into actual and realized 
contact with that universal life-element before referred to, and 
which is none other than the everywhere present " Spirit of 
Good," the inmost life of all things. The possession of such 
a faculty is sufficient reason for its use. This life-element 
must surround us on every hand and at all times, as does the 
atmosphere we breathe , and as the act of physical respiration 
is necessary to the reception of the life-giving element of the 
air, so soul aspiration is necessary to the reception of that 
subtler and more vital element, which is the life of life. 

True, a certain degree of aspiration may and doubtless does 
exist, instinctively and unconsciously with all persons, at- 
tended by a corresponding degree of influx of the universal 
life-element, without which, probably, physical life could not 
be maintained. So a low grade of physical life and health 
may and does exist where only a partial inflation of the 
physical lungs takes place, instinctive]y and unconsciously 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 35 

and that even in an impure atmosphere. This is the case 
with thousands of people who dwell in unventilated apart- 
ments, often ignorant that they so much as have lungs need- 
ing to be inflated. Yet all well-informed persons know that 
a far higher quality of life and health may be enjoyed through 
the intelligent practice of full respiration in a pure atmosphere. 
Correspondingly, no doubt, a much higher, fuller influx of 
the universal spiritual life-element may be received, through 
intelligent, earnest exercise of conscious aspiration, imparting 
higher vigor to the spiritual nature, and through that to the 
physical body, since the life of the body is from the spirit. 

This view of the rationale of aspiration and its uses, in one 
direction at least, it is believed cannot be successfully contro- 
verted, and it is commended to the thoughtful consideration 
of those who may have doubts as to the utility of prayer. If 
well founded, then it follows that here is accessible an ex- 
haustless source of aid for human improvement, especially 
effective when sought in conjunction with an intelligent and 
careful regard for hygienic laws. 

Should it be alleged that many devout people have prayed 
long and earnestly for deliverance from hereditary maladies 
and other conscious imperfections, and have prayed in vain, 
it may be replied that possibly they may have failed at the 
same time to understand and apply the proper physical means 
alike necessary to the desired result. They may have still par- 
ticipated, ignorantly, perhaps, in habits and practices which 
have counteracted all the beneficial effects of their aspirations. 
Such, at least, has been the evident fact in instances known 
to the writer. Of course, no improvement could reasonably 
be expected under such conditions. Frederick Douglass, the 
noted orator and editor, late United States marshal for the 
District of Columbia, relates that while a slave in Maryland 



36 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

he was one day devoutly praying, as he often had done, for 
Divine interposition to give him the boon of freedom, when 
he heard a voice as from the skies say to him, " Pray with 
your legs, Frederick! Pray with your legs!" At length, 
overcoming the conscientious scruples which had been re- 
ligiously instilled into his mind against helping himself to 
liberty, he prayed with his legs, and the prayer was effectual. 
So, would we escape from the thraldom of hereditary disease 
or moral imperfections, and attain the enjoyment of a larger 
life and nobler freedom, we must not only aspire earnestly 
for Divine help, but use intelligently and persistently all the 
means appropriate to the end. 

This may not be attained in a moment, a week or a year. 
Time may be required to produce the physiological changes 
that may be requisite. Possibly there a^re cases in which full 
deliverance may never be attainable in the body. Yet, some- 
where in the boundless universe of God, no doubt, this boon 
is for all who earnestly seek it, and it lies unquestionably in 
the direction of sincere aspiration and faithful obedience to 
the laws of our being. 

FAITH A RECUPERATIVE AGENCY. 

There can be no question, furthermore, that a firm faith in 
the desired result, or " assurance of the thing hoped for," will 
aid in securing its attainment. The alleged power of faith is 
often sneered at by shallow people as a chimera of fanaticism. 
But they make a great mistake. Its potency as a therapeutic 
agency is now acknowledged by the ablest and most scientific 
physicians. One of the most skillful medical men of modern 
times, who is acknowledged to stand at the head of his pro- 
fession in the treatment of nervous disorders — the famous Dr. 
Brown-Sequard — not long since said in a public lecture: " If 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE 37 

we physicians, who treat patients every day, had the power to 
make them believe that they are to be cured, especially if we 
could name a time for it,, it would be a great element in 
success. I have succeeded sometimes, and I can say that I 
succeed more than formerly, because I have myself the faith 
that I can in giving faith obtain a cure." 

There need be no mystery about this. Faith implies ex- 
pectation of the thing believed in ; and expectation not only 
invites the free action of the inherent recuperative forces of 
the system, but also opens the gateway for a fuller influx of 
those salvatory potencies of the universe before alluded to, 
which surround us on every side. And when faith can take 
the form of an unfaltering trust in an over-brooding Providence, 
an Almighty Parent who lovingly cares for all His children, 
its power is doubly great. 

All persons may not be gifted with the power to exercise 
this trust in unseen agencies ; but those who are may regard 
it as both proper and rational that they should avail them- 
selves of its aid, despite the doubts and sneers of the faithless- 
They will find, doubtless, that as their faith is, so will be the 
result to them. Faith, moreover, like every other human 
faculty, is capable of cultivation, so that those who lack may 
by proper means obtain an increase. The mere possibility 
that through the means thus suggested the germinal elements 
of disease and of moral evil in our own natures may be either 
eradicated or rendered inert, so that they shall not be trans- 
mitted to others, while, on the other hand, the forces of 
health and of good shall become ascendant, and thus likely to 
be imparted to offspring— such a possibility, even, should be a 
powerful stimulus to strive for its realization. 



38 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

HIGHER POSSIBILITIES. 

But there are still greater possibilities than even this. 
Faith, with pure aspiration or earnest yearning for the high- 
est good, is not only a potent, uplifting force in itself, but it 
is no doubt a great help to produce a condition of receptivity 
or openness to the action of supernal powers, which renders 
possible many things that to a groveling and blind materialism 
are not attainable. It has already been abundantly shown 
that the embryo child may be powerfully affected and 
moulded by the mental and psychical action of the mother. It 
is plain, therefore, that any mental or psychical influence 
acting upon the mother will, through her, also strongly affect 
her offspring, and be likely to shape its future characteristics. 
The following fact, illustrative of this point, was contributed 
by the author to the columns of the Alpha some months 
since, but is worthy of repetition here for the important lesson 
it teaches. 

" Not long since I met with a venerable lady, of marked 
intelligence and spirituality, who had formerly been for many 
years a preacher in the Society of Friends. From her I ob- 
tained a narration of some interesting facts in her pre-natal 
history, as she had derived them from her mother. They 
were to the following effect : 

" Some months previous to her birth, and while anticipating 
that event, her mother, who was a Quakeress, had become 
exceedingly despondent and oppressed with gloomy fore- 
bodings, in consequence of severe domestic trials. Poverty, 
privation and disgrace seemed to stare her in the face, in 
connection with this expected increase of family. While in a 
state of mind bordering on despair, a prominent Friend called 
upon her one day, bringing with him two or three copies of a 
new book just published. This was the journal of a distin- 
guished Quaker preacher, then recently deceased, who had 
passed through great vicissitudes and dangers in the perform- 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 39 

ance of the mission to which he had felt himself called, hut 
had been wonderfully supported through all by an unfaltering 
trust in God. 

" The mother at once seized upon one of these books, with 
a strong interior feeling that in it was help and hope for her. 
She obtained a copy, and almost literally devoured its con- 
tents. It brought to her the needed help. In its perusal she 
seemed to be lifted up into intimate sympathy with its author, 
and to partake of the same calm trust and unfaltering faith 
which had sustained him in life. Her fears and forebodings 
■all disappeared, never again to return, and she received in 
some way a premonition that her forthcoming child would be 
a daughter, and would prove a great help and comfort to her 
through life. 

" This premonition proved true. The daughter at an early 
age showed a remarkable predisposition to spiritual concerns, 
and in due time became an acceptable preacher in the society, 
notably resembling in many respects the one whose biography 
had so deeply impressed the mother during the period of 
gestation; and she was able to provide a pleasant home for 
her mother for more than fifty years of her later life." 

The comments appended to the above narrative can hardly 
be improved upon here, and hence they are copied entire: 

" This narrative is valuable for the suggestion it gives of 
possible aids that may be available by mothers in the most 
important works of pre-natal culture. The psychological in- 
fluence which a mother may exert over the embryo in exalted 
mental and spiritual states, induced by reading, meditation or 
aspiration, is now generally understood and admitted, and it 
is surely a powerful instrumentality for good. But it is possi- 
ble there is something more than this. Eeaders who believe 
in a future life of love and service for those who have passed 
within the veil — that they who have delighted to labor for 
and bless humanity while in the flesh may and do become 
angels to minister to those they leave behind, after they have 
passed the portal of the higher life — certainly such need have 
no difficulty in supposing that benign immortals will be glad 
to render their services, when practicable and desired, in so 



40 PRE- NATAL CULTURE. 

momentous a work as the ante-natal shaping and moulding 
of a human being for a career of distinguished usefulness on 
earth. 

" The mother above alluded to became deeply conscious at 
times, as stated, of close rapport and soul- communion with 
the esteemed friend whose life story so uplifted her mind. 
Many others have had similar experiences regarding departed 
friends. Nothing is more reasonable than that two souls thus 
sympathizing should gravitate to each other, even though one 
has thrown off the incumbrance of the flesh. And if the 
departed preacher was thus drawn to be actually present with 
this mother at this important period, it would be scarcely 
avoidable that he, through her, should exercise a powerful 
psychical influence over the then forming embryo. And this 
would explain why the daughter developed a tendency t© be- 
come a preacher of the same type as himself. 

"I might add that this lady informed me that in later years 
she had received evidence which fully convinced her, not only 
that such psychical influence was exerted by the disembodied 
* preacher, but that he purposely selected her while in the fetal 
state, watched over and prepared her for the special service of 
becoming his mouth -piece in completeing his earthly work, 
and in due time had employed her for that purpose. And 
this fully accounts for the completeness with which she had 
represented him in her public ministrations. 

" To some persons such a conviction will doubtless seem 
wild and incredible; but to the thoughtful and spiritually- 
minded, I am sure, there is nothing intrinsically improbable 
in it. If there is any truth in the ancient promise, ' He shall 
give His angels charge over thee,' etc., in what more import- 
ant matter can their guardian care be exercised than in that 
of assisting a conscientious mother in her most responsible 
work of moulding a young immortal for a life of usefulness 
and honor? 

" When mothers shall come to feel the true dignity of the 
office of maternity (if worthily entered upon), they may know 
v that all the powers of good in the universe are on their side, 
and ready to contribute to a noble and successful issue." 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 41 

In view of such experiences, it seems not too much to be- 
lieve, as many do, that through the appropriate exercise of 
faith and aspiration, especially if accompanied by right living 
in all respects, intending mothers may attain a condition of 
plasticity to holy influences from the unseen world — which 
are ever seeking to improve and bless our race — that may re- 
sult in the production of offspring of a type superior to aver- 
age humanity. It is not impossible that such a state of self- 
abnegation and sweet surrender to the will of the Highest 
may be reached, as that this higher and wiser will may come 
in and work to grander and completer results than the most 
intelligent mother would of herself be capable of effecting. In 
this way, it may be, the plan of self-training and positive en- 
deavor, to be suggested in subsequent pages of this treatise, 
may be largely superseded by what is better. Surely, thus 
to become a willing and plastic instrument through which the 
Highest may work unobstructedly " both to will and to 
do," and to co-operate energetically with the Infinite Will, is 
doubtless the most desirable state to which a mortal can 
aspire. 

It seems not improbable that in the way thus suggested, 
that is, through the instrumentality of matrons specially 
receptive to these hallowing influences, no matter how lowly 
their estate in other regards, nor even how ignorant of the 
law or process involved, have been gestated and brought forth 
the grandest and noblest souls that have illuminated the 
pathway of humanity in all time. She whom all generations 
with one consent have called " blessed " — the mother of the 
Nazarene — appears to have been a prominent example. The 
following passages from her song of thanksgiving (Luke i, 46- 
56) are highly significant : 



42 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

" My soul doth magnify the Lord, 
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour, 
For he hath regarded the low estate of his hand-maiden; 
For, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 
For he that is mighty hath done me great things, 
And holy is his name, 
And his mercy is on them that fear him 
From generation to generation. 
He hath showed strength with his arm; 

He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts; 
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, 
And exalted them of low degree." 

If it be a fact that, in the manner above indicated, offspring 
of a type superior to their parents, either physically, mentally 
or morally, are produced, it by no means follows that the law 
of heredity (" like begets like") is contravened. This law 
only receives a higher expression. Through the agency of the 
parents, and especially of the mother, as the result of pure 
aspirations, strong faith, right living, with other favoring 
conditions, better germinal elements are secreted and brought 
in conjunction, and these are vitalized from a higher spiritual 
source. Improved specimens of humanity are a natural 
sequence. 

This suggests the probable law or method of ascending 
progress in the evolution of not only the human race but of all 
living forms on this planet. Higher types may have been 
successively generated, not by some mysterious process of ac- 
cidental or spontaneous evolution, but by the bringing 
together, under favoiing conditions, of improved germinal 
elements — improved perhaps by the infusion of subtle spiritual 
essences that introduce new qualities. This process may 
have been, not merely chance-directed, as some imagine, but 
on the contrary, presided over by intelligent and wise design, 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 48 

Working on a broad field to determinate ends. " Differentia- 
tion of species " may, indeed, have been effected by the " en- 
vironment," as claimed by materialistic philosophers ; but the 
presence of an all- surrounding spiritual life-element in the 
universe (the existence of which seems almost a necessary 
truth of intuition) is an important factor of the environment 
which is generally ignored by this class of thinkers. 

HOPE FOR ALL. 

If the foregoing suggestions are well founded, then there is 
hope for all based in the very constitution of things. Im- 
provement for the individual and for the race is possible, and 
that without limit. The grand energies of the universe are 
in its favor. In our ills and weaknesses, our conscious base- 
nesses and evil proclivities, inherited though they may have 
been from a long line of ancestry, we need not lie prone and 
helpless, with no alternative (except in rare instances) but 
either to transmit these hateful qualities to our offspring, or 
to refrain from the supreme joy of reproducing ourselves. 
Help, purification, regeneration are within reach, in most 
cases at least, if we will but avail ourselves of the means. 

A PARENTAL PROVIDENCE. 

It would not be difficult to show, without appealing to what 
is termed "revealed religion," the strong probability, if not 
certainty, that this helpful and uplifting Energy which has 
been referred to as encompassing us on every hand, is some- 
thing more than a blind, unintelligent, unsympathetic " force;" 
that it is in fact a Parental Providence, a brooding tenderness, 
which yearns with unfailing love to bless, to enlighten, to 
redeem from every ill, to enrich with every good. But to 
argue this question at length would be foreign to our present 



44 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

purpose ; suffice it to say that the belief or intuition of such a 
Providence seems to have been consentaneous in the best and 
grandest souls that have ever dwelt in human clay, those 
whose hearts have been attuned to feel the sympathetic throbs 
of the Universal Heart. 

Whether this benign power be conceived of as a " Cosmical 
Life," in which we, and all we see around us, have our "un- 
searchable roots," as expressed by Tyndall, or as an all-em- 
bracing " Oversoul, within which every man's particular 
being is contained," as Emerson has phrased it; or as a un- 
iversal Parent, a personal being, with attributes sufficiently 
expansive to include all minor personalities within his own, 
according to the best interpretation of the Christian teachings ; 
or as a vast assemblage of apotheosized human spirits, per- 
fected in purity, wisdom and goodness, acting as vicegerents 
of the Supreme Will and Wisdom in this rudimental sphere, 
as many in all ages have believed — whichever of these con- 
ceptions be adopted as most satisfactory to the individual 
mind, a like result follows, namely, that in the constitution 
of things which exists kindly aid from a superior source is avail- 
able to all who seek it rightly. In other words, that we are 
not orphans, held in the grasp of an unpitying fate, but chil- 
dren, watched over and cared for with parental love and 
far-seeing wisdom. 

Can we suppose that this parental oversight extends to the 
matter of begetting and rearing of offspring? Why should it 
not? Is not this one of the most important of human con- 
cerns? The Great Teacher of Judea, whose intuitive soul 
seems to have been most deeply permeated with a sense of the 
parental character of the Infinite Life, taught that It or He, 
takes note of so trifling an event as the falling of a sparrow, 
and even numbers the very hairs of our heads. We may 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 45 

perhaps regard this as an extravagant example of Oriental 
hyperbole, yet if it embodies even a grain of truth we must 
infer that so momentous an occurence as the initiation of an 
immortal being, to exist for good or ill through the eternities, 
whose life is of vastly greater value than all the sparrows in 
the world, is not too insignificant for supernal cognizance. 
The preponderance of the argument in favor of such cogniz- 
ance is in the ratf o of the value of the whole human being as 
compared with that of a single hair. Why, then, should not 
the origin of every human being be attended by 

THE DIVINE OVERSHADOWING? 

The record informs us that in the case of Jesus himself, 
when His mother questioned the announcement of the angel 
that she should bring forth a son, " and He shall be great, 
and shall be called the Son of the Highest," she was assured 
that " the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of 
the Highest shall overshadow thee, therefore also that holy 
thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of 
God." 

This has indeed, been generally regarded as an altogether 
exceptional experience in the history of humanity, and one 
never to be repeated. But was it really and wholly such? 
Why should not every mother feel the uplifting and purifying 
presence of the Divine Spirit, and be overshadowed by the 
power of the Highest in preparing herself for and in discharg- 
ing the most sacred of all functions? Most surely it may be 
so, if she earnestly aspire to it. And why, then, as a result 
in accordance with the law of psychical impression, should not 
every child born be a holy one, and worthy to be called a son 
or daughter of the Highest? Verily, this might be so, were 
the human instruments reverently to yield themselves to the 



46 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

will of the Highest, that this will, instead of the will of the 
flesh, may be done in and through them. 

SPECIAL INTERIOR LEADINGS. 

Facts and experiences that have come to the writer's knowl- 
edge, as well as general considerations of desirableness, point 
to the conclusion that a woman who earnestly seeks to be led 
by the Divine Spirit, or by her own " spiritual intuitions,' 5 
or the " inward monitor," or " inner light," if any prefer these 
terms, in the important matters of choosing a conjugal part- 
ner, and of entrance upon the maternal function, will be 
guided by a wisdom higher than herself. If she will carefully 
shut out all other voices and influences; and listen only to 
the oracle within the inmost shrine, she may be led infallibly 
to choose the proper companion, and at the proper time will 
find herself being prepared, in body and mind, by a 
power wiser than herself, for assuming the noble duty of 
motherhood. 

And until this interior leading, this fullness of preparation, 
with the Divine overshadowing, is felt no one should even 
venture upon the sacred function — certainly never against the 
voice of the inward monitor. It is profanation, sacrilege 
thus to do! Unquestionably it is because, amid the clamors 
of passion, the blandishments of flattery, the urgency of un- 
wise persuasion, or the pressure of other unworthy considera- 
tions, the " still, small voice " is unheeded, the divine 
guidance unsought, that so many wretched mis-alliances are 
formed, and such numbers of unwelcome, malformed, diseased 
and unholy offspring are brought into the world. 

That the man, if he also seeks to obey the monitions 
of the spirit rather than the desires of the flesh, may 
experience a corresponding internal preparation for patern- 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 47 

ity, is doubtless true — though men for the most part are 
less conscious of these delicate spiritual leadings than are 
women. Hence men, as a general rule, should defer to 
women in these matters, especially to those of keen spiritual 
intuitions. But the preparation on man's part, if earnestly 
sought, may be no less real, though it be less fully sensed. 
And on no consideration should one ever enter the sacred re- 
lation whence parentage may result without due preparation 
in himself. Especially should he refrain from ever intrud- 
ing, by either demand or solicitation, against the intuitions 
of the partner. All such intrusions are outrages of the 
most flagrant character, the same in essence as positive 
physical violence, and the same within as without the 
legal marriage relation. Offspring begotten when any degree 
of reluctance or want of preparation exists on the part 
of the mother, are robbed of a portion of their birth-right, 
and to that degree incapacitated for the full enjoyment 
of existence. That birth-right includes a full and loving 
welcome to the world. Without this, what a pitiable object 
is a child! — virtually orphaned and outcast from its earliest 
heart-throb, liable to be followed through life by a sense 
of homelessness and friendlessness, a life-long mourner 
in a vale of tears! But a child wisely desired, intelli- 
gently prepared for, begotten m sweet mutual love, properly 
cultured in embryo, and at length joyfully welcomed to 
loving arms, such a one is an object of interest and joy to 
all humanity. At the advent of such, even though born 
in a stable and cradled in a manger, well may choiring 
angels sing, " Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace 
and good will to men." For of such are the wise teachers, 
the noble examples, the loving saviors of mankind ! 



48 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 



ADAPTATIONS. 



There are reasons for believing that many of the ailments 
and suffering commonly incident to maternity — such as the 
nausea, the " longings," the general physical disturbances, as 
well as the mental and moral disorders sometimes exhibited — 
result from either unwelcome and undesired impregnation at 
an improper time, or from a conjunction of unadapted ele- 
ments; that is, if persons not adapted in the finer constituents 
of their organisms come together in that intimate relation. 
When this is the case what wonder that internal rebellion and 
general physical disorder follow? 

If woman was made- for maternity, as the conformation of 
her organism and the normal tendency of her strongest 
instincts, with few exceptions, show, then it is evident that 
the proper exercise of this function should be attended by the 
highest health, enjoyment and happiness. And thus it is in 
many cases. That it is not so in every case indicates that 
something is wrong, that the kindly purpose of nature has 
been thwarted at some point. 

This question of adaptations or compatibilities between 
those who would enter the parental relation, though often 
sneered at by short-sighted moralists, deserves greater attention 
than it has yet received. The popular notion is that if two 
adult persons are only of opposite sexes and not idiotic or 
within certain legally prescribed relations of consanguinity, 
they are fit to marry and to beget offspring. This is a great 
mistake. There are finer conditions of adaptation and of in- 
congruity which may not appear on the surface, but are 
inwoven in the very texture of being; and which, if disre- 
garded, will assert themselves in their own time and way as 
surely as will the laws of chemical affinity and repulsion. 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 49 

These are nature's or God's laws of marriage and divorce, and 
where they are unheeded in a legal contract, it cannot be said 
that " God hath joined " the parties together. The converse 
of the precept enunciated by Jesus is no doubt equally bind- 
ing, namely, what God hath put asunder by inherent repug- 
nances, let no man or woman attempt to join together. 

But so little is this subject understood that perhaps few, if 
any, can judge with infallible accuracy, from external indica- 
tions, what individuals are or are not properly adapted for 
this relation. Yet it is believed that a patient waiting for 
interior guidance, a listening to the voice of the soul's intui- 
tions, rather than to external inducements of any kind, will 
be found, especially on the part of women, a tolerably safe 
guide as to these finer adaptations, enabling them to deter- 
mine wisely not only when but whom to marry. 

Other important details of preparation might be dwelt upon, 
but as these have been presented to some extent in a previous 
treatise, " The Better Way," they will not be repeated here. 

METHODS OF EMBRYO CULTURE. 

Should such preparations for parentage as have been sug- 
gested in preceding pages be in any good measure attained, it 
is probable that results of a very desirable character would be 
realized without recourse to any detailed plan of embryo cul- 
ture as outlined in what is to follow. But yet it is apparent 
that if these are succeeded by the wise and judicious use of 
such further means as are within the power of parents, and 
especially of mothers during gestation, still more complete 
results may be assured. We will, therefore, proceed to give 
some outline of a course of regimen and self-training, which 
seems adapted, in accordance with the apparent laws of physi- 



50 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

cal and psychieal influence, to effect most favorably the char- 
acter and qualities of the child. 

The importance of order in the method employed has already 
been indicated. What that order shall be, the mother may 
doubtless infer, in a general way, by observing the order in 
which the several classes of faculties naturally unfold and 
arrive at maturity after birth, during the periods of childhood, 
youth, etc. Let us then attempt a classification of human 
instincts and faculties in the general order of their develop- 
ment. This appears to be somewhat as follows: 

First. The Vital and Self -Preservative Instincts, which 
form the basis of individual existence, are the earliest to 
manifest themselves. The infant simply eats and grows. 

Second. The Domestic and Social Affections ordinarily 
come next into prominent activity, The child begins to love 
its parents and care-takers. 

Third. The Perceptive and Observing Faculties, with 
which are associated the Retentive and Recording, are next 
markedly developed. The child observes and remembers. 

Fourth. The Constructive and Beautifying Faculties next 
display themselves. The child shows a disposition to make 
things and to ornament. 

Fifth. The Directive and Regulative Faculties, including 
the reflective intellect and the moral powers, come into 
activity. The youth begins to reason, and to feel strongly the 
force of moral obligations. 

Sixth. The Humane or Philanthropic impulse asserts its 
sway; and, 

Seventh. The Aspirational, Worshipful or Upward-looking 
tendency usually comes latest to maturity. 

It is by no means claimed that human development in any 
case follows strictly this order, nor that it should be followed 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 51 

by mothers in any such rigid way as to exclude all attention 
to any one department out of the course named. On the 
contrary, the several steps or stages will merge more or less 
}nto each other, and some exercises will doubtless he at all 
times in place. But it is plainly out of natural order, for 
instance, to stimulate the activity of the Reasoning faculties 
before the Vital forces are well established, or even before 
the Perceptive or Observing powers have been duly cultivated. 
Such a process would be in reverse of the order of nature, 
and its tendency is to produce physical weaklings and intel- 
lectual dreamers, who incline to ignore the solid facts of exis- 
tence and live in the regions of speculation. A vigorous 
body is desirable as the basis of a vigorous mind, and habits 
of accurate observation are an essential prerequisite to sound 
reasoning. 

Again, it is evident that in any effort by a mother to culti- 
vate her offspring in embryo through her own mental and 
physical action, she needs to give more especial attention to 
those desirable qualities, faculties or tendencies which may be 
deficient in herself, or in the father, and most especially such 
as may happen to be deficient in both. Those powers whose 
activity is in excess in either parent, and those also whose 
activity is spontaneous and easy, are likely to be transmitted 
without special effort. The more difficult it is, then, to exercist 
any desirable faculty in either parent, the greater the need of its 
exercise in the mother during gestation, in order that the offspring 
may not suffer from the deficiency. 

To give specific directions for the culture of each and every 
faculty, when deficient, would extend this treatise far beyond 
its proposed limits, but a few general suggestions will enable 
the intelligent reader to clearly apprehend the method, and to 
make the application as required in the individual case. 



52 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

Every one can readily understand that any oft-repeated ex- 
ercise of muscle or of mental faculty (unless over-done) tends 
to develop and strengthen such muscle or faculty. It does 
this in the mother, and, if the law of fetal moulding has been 
correctly stated in the foregoing pages, it must have the same 
effect through the mother upon the embryo, For example, 
if the mother (at the proper stage in pregnancy) takes care 
to exercise her own muscles freely by walking, light gymnas- 
tics, bathing, etc., the probabilities are, other things being 
favorable, that she will thereby not only improve her own 
health, but at the same time confer upon her child a vigorous 
muscular system. If she, at the proper time, exercises her 
mind somewhat persistently, for example, in reckoning or 
calculating numbers, she will thereby increase her own 
arithmetical faculty, and simultaneously increase the molecu- 
lar deposits in that part of the fetal brain which is the organ 
of calculation, according to modern phrenology — at all events 
will be likely to confer upon her child the power to become a 
good arithmetician. If the mother spends any considerable 
portion of her time in philosophic study or thought, in efforts 
to understand the " whys and wherefores of things," she 
thereby exercises and expands her own cause- discerning 
faculty (Causality), and insures its activity in her offspring. 
So, if she practices thoughtful and unselfish kindness toward 
those about her, and is benevolent to the needy and the 
suffering, she enstamps the same noble trait (Benevolence) upon 
the unborn ; and if she at all times firmly adheres to the right 
because it is right, she keeps her own conscience ever clear, 
and imparts to the coming one that priceless quality, Conscien- 
tiousness. So of all the other faculties. 

In short, reading, thought, conversation or any employment 
which occupies the mind in any special direction, and thus 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 53 

calls into prolonged exercise any specific faculty or set of 
faculties in the mother, must tend to modify the mental and 
cerebral development of the embryo in such a way as in all 
probability will determine, to a large extent, its capacities 
and tendencies in all after-life. The whole matter is thus 
simple and comprehensible to the most ordinary capacity. 

"Where any one faculty or tendency is in excess of a well- 
balanced character, in either of the parents, and deficient in 
the other, it may reasonably be expected that the excess on 
the one side may be counterbalanced by the lack on 
the other — except when, as is sometimes the case, one parent 
overwhelmingly preponderates over the other in imparting 
the characteristics of the child — a result due, perhaps, to the 
possession of greater physical or mental vigor at the time of 
inception. 

Where the same faculties or tendencies are in excess in both 
parents, the probabilities are that the excess will be increased 
in the offspring to the extent, perhaps, of creating a 
deformity or an undesirable one-sidedness of character. In 
such a case, the propriety of restraint, instead of culture, 
would seem to be apparent. But it is suggested that such 
restraint may best be sought indirectly; that is, by special 
efforts to cultivate and exercise the opposite or counterbalanc- 
ing faculties, rather than to attempt repression by direct exer- 
cise of the will on the excessive tendency. For example, 
should the selfish proclivities or passions tend to inordinate 
activity, endeavor to cultivate and exercise more fully the 
faculties classed as Directive and Eegulative — that is, the 
Eeasoning powers, the Conscience and Benevolence. This 
will be leveling up instead of down, thus making more of the 
whole man or woman by enlarging the better side. Besides, 
it is probable that fixing the mind upon any particular faculty 



64 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

or propensity, in an effort to repress its action by direct will- 
force, may tend, by sending the vital fluids to the cerebral 
organ of such faculty, to increase rather than diminish its 
activity; whereas, the drawing of these fluids to other parts of 
the brain, by increasing the activity of the latter, will naturally 
lessen the action in those which it is desirable to repress. 
This, doubtless, furnishes the reason why efforts to overcome 
inordinate appetites by force of will are so seldom successful. 

Where deficiencies exist in the same faculties in both 
parents, of course there will be required more assiduous atten- 
tion to the means of culture by the mother, if she would have 
these deficiencies supplied, and her offspring saved from the 
disabilities and misfortunes that are likely to result. 

If the foregoing suggestions are at all in the right direction, 
it plainly follows that it behooves all prospective parents, and 
especially mothers, who would confer upon their children 
healthful and well-balanced organisms, to first thoroughly 
know themselves. Not only should they intelligently under- 
stand their own respective physical conditions, as regards 
healthfulness, adaptation of temperaments, constitutional ten- 
dencies, etc., but also they should have a just estimate of 
their own mental powers and moral characteristics in all par 
ticulars. And since few persons are competent to know 
themselves accurately in either of the above-named respects, 
it is well to consult with intelligent and judicious friends, or 
with competent professional advisers, if such can be found, 
who are skilled in the detection of physical, mental and moral 
characteristics, and will faithfully point out both defects and 
redundances. It may be true that there are few persons now 
to be found in any of our communities who are fully qualified 
to give needed advice in these momentous matters; but it is 
believed that as public attention shall be turned in this direc 
tion, and the want become felt, such advisers will appear. 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 00 

SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS. 

We will now proceed to indicate some more specific meas- 
ures which seem adapted to the several successive stages into 
which embryo culture may be divided, in accordance with the 
suggestion already made regarding an orderly method of 
procedure. 

First Stage. — It seems scarcely to admit of question that the 
first thing to be done, in the order of time, is to secure to the 
new immortal the basis of a good physical organization, with 
strong vital powers. If the parents, and especially the mother, 
have given proper attention to their own personal preparation 
in all respects, as hereinbefore suggested, a good beginning 
will have been made. But the mother should endeavor by 
all means to maintain throughout the whole period of gesta- 
tion the best possible condition of bodily health and vigor. 
Neither too much labor nor care, nor too little, should be 
undertaken. During the earlier months, while the founda- 
tions, so to speak, of the child's physical constitution are 
being laid, open air exercise, gymnastics, bathing, riding, 
travel, with the best diet, proper dress, cheerful companion- 
ship — in short, everything that will contribute to the highest 
physical vigor— should be availed of as far as practicable. At 
later stages a greater amount of repose and seclusion is natu- 
rally sought, and travel and the more active forms of exercise 
cannot so well be participated in. 

Let it be here remarked, parenthetically, that it is not ex- 
pected every mother in ordinary circumstances in life will be 
able to comply with every suggestion here made. It is desir- 
able, however, that all should know what are the best condi- 
tions required to produce the best results; and then each 
should make the nearest approximation thereto that individ- 



56 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

ual circumstances will admit. And no argument seems neces. 
sary to show that all should seek to secure reasonably 
favorable conditions before entering upon so important au 
undertaking as parentage. The highest welfare of the unborn, 
and not the pleasure of the parents, should be chiefly considered. 
And when neighborhoods and communities shall have come to 
give this subject the consideration its importance demands, it 
will be found an easy matter to secure, by combination and 
co-operation, conditions which the individual means of iso- 
lated families often do not enable them to supply. In fact, 
the noble office of maternity must sometime come to be 
regarded as a most sacred and honorable function, in the 
proper discharge of which the whole community has a direct 
interest. And those who are fitted for its worthy performance, 
and who are willing intelligently and lovingly to undertake 
it, are entitled to both the profound respect and the helpful 
co-operation of all others. 

Besides, there is little question that a proper attention to 
the laws of health, as regards diet, regimen, clothing, etc., 
will secure to any well-organized and well-mated woman ex- 
emption from most, if not all, of the sufferings and dangers 
now usually considered incident to child-bearing. If it be 
true, according to popular belief, that woman's "sorrows" 
in this function have been greatly " multiplied," in conse- 
quence of the first mother's transgression, it is no doubt 
equally true (for it rests on quite as good authority) that " she 
shall be saved in child-bearing if they continue in faith and charity 
and holiness with sobriety." (I Tim. ii : 15.) " Holiness " should 
mean nothing less than wholeness, or compliance with all the 
laws of one's being. An experienced and highly intelligent 
mother, well known throughout our country — Mrs. Elizabeth 
Cady Stanton — in a note to the writer says : 



Pre-natal culture. 61 

"In right conditions maternity will not be a period of weak- 
ness, sorrow and suffering, but of joy, health and added 
power. A well- organized woman can bring a child into the 
world without suffering. The idea of woman being cursed by 
Heaven in her relations of wife and mother is a monstrous 
idea, and has had a most depressing and degrading influence 
upon woman in all ages." 

The same capable matron, in one of her lectures to women 
some years since, gave the following important personal 
testimony : 

" I am the mother of seven children. My girlhood was 
spent mostly in the open air. I early imbibed the idea that 
a girl is just as good as a boy, and I carried it out. I would 
walk five miles before breakfast, or ride ten on horseback. 
After I was married I wore my clothing sensibly. Its weight 
hung entirely on my shoulders. I never compressed my 
body out of its natural shape. When my first four children 
were born I suffered very little. I then made up my mind 
that it was totally unnecessary for me to suffer at all; so I 
dressed lightly, walked every day, lived as much as possible 
in the open air, ate no condiments or spices, kept quiet, 
listened to music, looked at pictures and took proper care of 
myself. The night before the birth of the child I walked 
three miles. The child was born without a particle of pain. 
I bathed it and dressed it, and it weighed ten and a half 
pounds. That same day I dined with the family. Everybody 
said I would surely die, but I never had a moment's incon- 
venience from it." 

The question, what constitutes the best diet during preg- 
nancy, has been fully discussed in hygienic works, and cannot 
be treated at length here. The good sense of every reader 
will suggest that the diet ought to be regulated, not by custom 
or fashion, or the dictates of a perverted appetite, but by a 
thoughtful and intelligent consideration of what is best 
adapted to supply the needs and promote the healthy functions 
of the organism, with special adaptations to the circumstances 
of the case. 



SB PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

During the earlier stages of pregnancy, as well as at all 
subsequent periods, it is desirable that the mother have at 
hand, for frequent contemplation, some of the best works of 
art, in statuary, or pictures, or both, as models of the beauti- 
ful and graceful in form, and of the amiable and noble in 
expression. Perhaps some one admired figure may be chosen, 
to be copied by the mother's wonderful electrotyping power in 
her living work of art; but care should be taken that it be 
one in which goodness as well as physical beauty is embodied. 

In this is to be found one of the noblest uses of art; and 
there can be no doubt that the works of the great masters 
have had more effect than the world imagines in producing 
and multiplying forms of beauty and manliness through im- 
pressions made on the minds of matrons. Every Bible 
reader is familiar with the shrewd plan adopted by the 
patriarch Jacob, by which he greatly multiplied the increase 
of cattle of a particular description (" ring-straked, spotted 
and speckled ") in the flocks of his father-in-law, to his own 
gain. (Gen. xxx : 27, etc.) Why should not the same law 
be generally availed of for the nobler purpose of conferring 
forms of beauty and gracefulness upon human offspring? 

It is said that travelers in Italy, that land of paintings and 
sculpture, are often struck with the frequency with which the 
lovely features of the Madonna are to be seen in the faces of 
children of even the uncultured peasantry. When it is 
remembered that almost every church and chapel in that 
country is provided with a representation of a Virgin and 
Child, from the hand often of some master of the noble art, 
and that these pictures are regarded with devout reverence by 
the common people, it is easy to see whence come those 
beautiful faces of Italian children. 

The several specific instincts or propensities of the Vital 



i 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 59 

and Self-Preservative group, included in our first-class, are, 
according to the phrenological system, termed as follows: 
1. Vitativeness, or love and tenacity of life ; 2. Alimentiveness, 
desire for an enjoyment of food; 3. Destructiveness, or execu- 
tive power, ability to overcome obstacles; 4. Combativeness, 
or self -defense ; 5. Acquisitiveness, or disposition to own and 
accumulate ; 6. Secretiveness, tact, ability to keep one's own 
counsel. 

This analysis and these definitions, let it be remarked, may 
be neither strictly accurate nor exhaustive, yet they may 
answer practical purposes until better can be furnished. And 
the same remarks apply to all the groupings and definitions 
to be hereafter given. The phrenological analysis and 
nomenclature of instincts and faculties is used here, not be- 
cause it is entirely satisfactory, but because it appears better 
adapted to the purpose in view than any other with which 
the author has met. 

It should be noted that none of the propensities above speci- 
fied, when rightly defined, can be dispensed with in a fully 
rounded character. They are not evil in themselves nor are 
their organs (if such exist) " bad organs," as some have sup- 
posed. It is their overplus, or overaction as compared with 
that of others, that is bad. A deficiency in any one of these 
basic instincts of human nature constitutes in that particular 
a weak and deficient character. 

Second Stage. — Next in order after the Vital instincts, and 
to some extent simultaneous with them, comes the develop- 
ment of the Domestic and Social Affections, or the Loves. 
These precede, in a general way, the manifestations of In- 
tellect. That is, the child ordinarily loves before it reasons to 
any extent. It would seem appropriate, therefore, that the 
mother, before applying herself to special exercises for intel- 



60 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

lectual culture, should see to it that any deficiencies that may 
exist in the Affectional department are provided against, as 
far as may be, by appropriate self- training. If her own per- 
sonal affections are kept in lively and well-balanced exercise, 
she may expect that her offspring will be well endowed in 
this department. 

The several divisions of the Affectional group of faculties 
recognized by phrenologists are the following: 1, Amativenessi 
or attachment to the opposite sex; 2, Conjugality, desire to 
pair, or love for the partner ; 3, Parental Love (Philoprogeni- 
tiveness), or love of children and pets; 4, Adhesiven ess (Friend- 
ship), attachment to friends; 5, Inhabitiveness, love of home 
and country. 

Third Stage. — Next in natural order of prominent activity, 
appear to come the Observing or Perceptive powers, intimately 
associated with which are the Communicative and the Reten- 
tive or Recording faculties. These, as designated by 
phrenologists, are: 1, Individuality, or power to individualize 
or distinguish and separately observe objects (the investigat- 
ing faculty); 2, Form, or perception of shapes, outlines, 
memory of faces, etc. ; 3, Size, the power to notice and re- 
member dimensions; 4, Weight, or perception of forces; 5, 
Color, appreciation and love of colors, tints, etc. ; 6, Order, 
love of arrangement, system; 7, Calculation, or perception of 
numbers and their relations (the arithmetical faculty), 8, 
Eventuality, memory of events, facts, dates, etc. (the historic 
faculty); 9, Locality, observation and memory of places, 
scenery, directions, etc. (the geographical faculty) ; 10, Time, 
sense of duration, capacity for punctuality; 11, Tune, the 
musical faculty; and 12, Language, or the power of verbal ex- 
pression. To these are closely related the five external senses 
— Feeling, Seeing, Hearing, Taste, and Smell, 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 61 

Deficiency in any one of these faculties is not desireabie — 
in some it is a sad misfortune. Few people who have not 
given the subject special attention are aware how many per- 
sons are congenitally deficient in one or more of these powers. 
Many children in our schools experience immense difficulty 
(often quite unappreciated by either teachers or parents) in 
learning at the outset to distinguish and remember the differ- 
ent letters of the alphabet, and afterwards to spell words cor- 
rectly, and to call them at sight — all resulting from a 
deficiency in the faculties termed Individuality and Form. 
Thousands have suffered the tortures of the birch and the 
foolscap from this cause alone ; and unless the deficiency has 
been remedied in youth (as it is little likely to be by such 
measures), what greater tortures have they suffered in after- 
life from inability to remember persons and faces, to detect 
counterfeits, and to spell correctly even the commonest words 
of their native tongue. Many, too, are born deficient in 
power to judge of size, weight, color, or some other of the 
faculties named, incapacitating them to a greater or less ex- 
tent for success in the practical duties and competitions of 
life. Eecent test-examinations have proved that a considera- 
ble percentage of railroad employees are color-blind, thus 
unfitting them to observe danger-signals, and exposing the 
traveling public to accidents and frightful disasters, unless 
such employees are removed. The same deficiency has been 
found among children in public schools. Were all mothers 
to take care to systematically cultivate and exercise this and 
all other faculties during gestation, instead of leaving the 
whole thing to chance as is usually done, such deficiencies 
would doubtless disappear. 

Exercise for the culture of the Observing and Perceptive 
faculties, it is suggested, may properly commence about the 



652 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

third month ; and it is repeated that special attention should 
be given to those which are lacking, or which are least in- 
clined to spontaneous exercise, in the mother, or in both 
parents. 

Aids in the systematic culture of these faculties may doubt- 
less be obtained from modern elementary works on Object 
Teaching for primary schools and kindergartens. The defects 
of such works, or perhaps their entire absence, may be readily 
supplied by intelligent mothers, when they once understand 
the thing to be done, and its importance. 

Fourth Stage — The next group of faculties, in order of loca- 
tion in the brain according to phrenologists, and apparently 
also in order of normal development in life, embraces what 
have been termed the Constructive and Beautifying powers, 
sometimes designated as the Semi-Intellectual group. These 
in phrenological parlance are named: 1, Constructiveness, or 
ingenuity (the building and mechanical faculty); 2, Ideality, 
love of the beautiful and refined (the poetical faculty) ; 8, 
Sublimity, sense of the grand and sublime; 4, Mirthfulness, or 
love of pleasantry, wit. Under the same general division 
may be classed, 5, Imitation, or the power to copy, represent, 
mimic; and 6, Suavity: or agreeableness, blandness. 

Closely associated with this group are also the Reasoning 
and Reflective, and the Moral and Regulative faculties, all of 
which may be classed together as the Directive and Regula- 
tive group. These include what are phrenologically termed : 
1, Causality, or power to apprehend first principles, to trace 
causes, etc. ; 2, Comparison, or power to analyze, classify, and 
generalize; 3, Human Nature, or sagacity in discernment of 
character; 4, Cautiousness, or prudence; 5, Continuity, power 
of consecutiveness or application; 6, Approbativeness, regard 
for the good opinion of others, ambition; 7, Self -Esteem, or 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE, 63 

self-respect; 8, Conscientiousness, love of right and abhorrence 
of wrong; and 9, Firmness, or perseverence. 

Nothing need be said, to any intelligent reader, as to the 
importance of each and every one of these faculties, in due 
exercise, to the formation of a well balanced or perfect char- 
acter; and the proper methods of their culture, respectively, 
are to some extent suggested by the names given them. 

Special exercises for the development in the fetus of the 
brain organs through which these faculties may manifest 
themselves, would seem to be in order after those adapted to 
the preceding group — say about from the fifth to the seventh 
month. 

Fifth Stage. — In the last and highest group of human 
faculties — last and highest whether considered with reference 
to location in the cranium, or with reference to their value in 
human character, or the period at which they ordinarily 
arrive at maturity in the individual and in the race — we find 
what may be classed as the Humanitarian or Beneficient, the 
Religious or Worshipful, and the Aspirational, Spiritual, or 
Upward-Looking powers. These are phrenologically desig- 
nated as: 1, Benevolence, philanthropy, or universal love; 2, 
Veneration, reverence or worship; 3, Hope, or cheerful expect- 
ancy; 4, Spirituality, aspiration, prescience, faith, or power to 
apprehend spiritual realities and to lay hold on unseen 
verities. 

These constitute, indeed, the crowning attributes of human 
nature. No character can be regarded as complete and sym- 
metrical in which they are not in full and harmonious exer- 
cise. If any of this group, as of the preceding, are deficient 
in either parent, the expectant mother cannot discharge her 
full duty to the unborn unless she make earnest efforts to 
supply the deficiency by self-culture before its birth. The 



64 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

definitions of the several faculties as given above will suggest 
the nature of the exercises by which such culture may be 
attained. 

While the faculties of this group should unquestionably be 
at all times kept in full exercise for the parent's highest good, 
yet their special culture may -well occupy attention during the 
final weeks of the gestatory period — say from the seventh to 
the ninth month, inclusive. 

GENERAL REMARKS. 

This plan suggestive only. — It will be noticed that the methodi 
of culture and the course of proceeding indicated in the fore- 
going pages are suggestive only. The recommendations sub- 
mitted seem to be reasonably deducibJe froru known facts and 
principles, and to point the way to important desired results. 
Those to whom they apply, and who think them worthy of 
regard, are invited to put them to the test, and in due time to 
report the results. In this way valuable experience will be 
gained, and at some future day the world may be put in pos- 
session of facts for its safe and intelligent guidance in this 
most important matter. 

Naturalness of the plan. — Though the idea of a methodical 
course of embryo-culture, as herein outlined, may seem novel 
to many readers, yet it is believed (as remarked to the author 
by a very intelligent and experienced mother, on hearing if 
read) it will be found to coincide in a general way with the 
usual natural promptings or intuitions of thoughtful mother?. 
It is common for them, in the earlier stages of pregnancy- 
desire travel, exhilarating exercise, visiting among relatives 
and friends, with a rekindling of the fires of affection. Ami 
then, at a later period, there is usually a special and loving 
exercise of the constructive and beautifying faculties, in the 



FKE-XATAL CULTURE. 65 

efforts to provide a fitting wardrobe for the anticipated new- 
comer, and this is naturally attended and followed by more or 
less quickening and exaltation of the intellectual powers; 
while, as the longed-for, yet often dreaded, crisis approaches, 
it is common and natural that the thoughts should turn more 
prominently upon spiritual things, with a looking upward to 
Higher Powers for the strength and support that are needed 
in the trying hour. 

The Phrenological Theory not essential. — Though the nomen- 
clature and to some extent the classification adopted by 
Phrenologists has been used in the foregoing outline (chiefly 
for the reason that nothing better seems for the present avail- 
able), yet it should be noted that an acceptance of the Phren- 
ological system as a whole is not essential to this plan. There 
are difficulties in the way of modern Phrenology, as usually 
taught, which debar many intelligent people from its accept- 
ance in detail. That the brain is in some general way the 
organ of the mind is, however, generally conceded. 

The important question is, are the several faculties and in- 
stincts enumerated in the foregoing plan of cur ure actually 
manifested in the normal and healthy action of the human 
being? If so, they should each and all be appropriately culti- 
vated in parents and transmitted to offspring in due degree. 
If any have been named that can be shovrn not to exist, or to 
be abnormal and undesirable in a human being, then let such 
be passed by. And if others not included in any of these 
groups can be ascertained to belong to perfected human 
nature, then let all such receive due attention. The 
only object is that the highest and most perfect type of 
humanity may be secured to those who through our instru- 
mentality may come after us. 

Things to be avoided. — The prospective mother, in her efforts 



66 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

to improve herself and to worthily endow her offspring, 
should by all means avoid anxiety, over- carefulness, oppres- 
sive fear of mistake, and a painful sense of duty. These 
feelings would tend to enstamp upon the coming one an over- 
anxious, foreboding, painfully-careful disposition, than which 
hardly a greater evil can be entailed. On the contrary, every- 
thing should be done with a cheerful delight, because its pur- 
pose is to confer blessings on an object of the tenderest 
affection, and it should be done with a joyful confidence as to 
the result. No greater blessing can be conferred than that 
of a cheerful, hopeful, helpful disposition, that delights in 
bestowing good upon others, and that meets all the vicissi- 
tudes of life with a calm trustfulness. And there can be no 
doubt that such characteristics are determined in a large 
degree by the mother's state during gestation. 

It hardly seems necessary in this connection to advert to 
the importance of avoiding all exercise of malevolent feelings, 
such as anger, envy, jealousy, hatred, revenge, covetousness, 
or wrong desire of any nature, since all readers of the fore- 
going pages must understand the danger that such emotions, 
if indulged, may implant in the embryo the subtle germs, 
irom which will grow in after years the bitterest fruits. Of 
course, no serious reader of this work can be supposed to 
tolerate for a moment the thought of destroying an embryo, 
and hence no warning need here be given against that fear- 
ful crime (i. e. an attempt at abortion), the prevalence of 
which is filling our land with murderers, made such by their 
mothers before they are born. 

Surely too great care cannot be exercised to avoid the pos- 
sibility of entailing any such evil tendencies upon offspring. 
Persons of either sex, intending to become parents (and none, 
of course, should become parents without intending it), in 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 67 

whom proclivities in such directions remain unsubdued, 
would do well to pause and consider whether a work of re- 
generation in themselves ought not to precede generation. 
But enough has already been said on this point. 

Another thing important to be avoided, as far as practica- 
ble, by the mother, is the presence of disagreeable and un- 
profitable associates of either sex. The untoward mental and 
moral influence that may be excited through the mother upon 
the forming child, by the frivolous and unseemingly conver- 
sation of persons unappreciative of the nobility and grandeur 
of the work which occupies her — the effect of coarse, indeli- 
cate speeches and the like — can be readily understood. But 
beyond this, there may be persons whose atmospheres are 
repugnant, and from whom the matron feels an instinctive 
shrinking. On no account should she allow herself, or be 
permitted by others, to be tortured by the presence of such 
repulsive individuals, whether as companions or domestics. 
There is reason to believe that the disagreeable characteristics 
of such repugnant persons are sometimes, by an occult law of 
transfer, enstamped upon offspring. At all events, their in- 
fluence cannot be otherwise than detrimental to the best 
development of the embryo. 

THE FATHER'S SHARE IN THE WORK. 

In this work of Pre -Natal Culture, it scarcely need be 
said the father should take equal interest with the mother; for 
he is equally concerned in the object in view, namely, the 
production of noble and worthy offspring. Having given due 
attention to his own antecedent preparations (see " The 
Better Way," section on personal preparations), he may per- 
form essential service in the proper development of the em- 
bryo before birth. He can accompany and assist the mother, 



t>b PRE-NA TAL CUL TURE. 

to some extent at least, in the various exercises appropriate to 
the successive stages of its unfolding, provided the proper 
facilities therefor (such as means for physical exercise and 
travel, books, pictures, models, etc.), so far as practicable, and 
he can lend his sympathy and encouragement at every step, 
guarding her against all untoward conditions or influences, 
and thus helping to secure such a result as will be a source of 
mutual joy forever. 

If, on the contrary, he manifests indifference, neglect, or 
untoward conduct of any kind, he may thwart and defeat the 
best efforts the mother can put forth, and may excite in her 
such feelings of depression, disappointment, grief, perhaps of 
repining, aversion, or disgust, as shall enstamp upon the 
child she is bearing characteristics which will prove a life- 
long burden or a curse. Many a child has been impressed 
before its birth with repugnance and dread toward its father, 
caused by his selfish or harsh treatment of the mother during 
this critical period, which can never be fully overcome in 
after life. Such a child is robbed of its birthright in paternal 
affection, and such a father robs himself of the bliss of filial 
love and confidence. The mother of one of the most quarrel- 
some, ungovernable, and unhappy families of children the 
writer ever knew, stated to him that she never had the sym- 
pathy of the father during pregnancy in a single instance, but 
only his anger and dissatisfaction at her condition. A terri- 
ble penalty was that which this unhappy man drew upon 
himself, and a terrible curse did he inflict upon his offspring, 

CONFERRING SPECIAL TENDENCIES— GENIUS. 

In addition to the traits of a well-balanced character, it is 
doubtless desirable that parents should implant in each child 
ft tendency to and aptitude for some special occupation 02 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 69 

form of usefulness. Such an inborn tendency and aptitude 
greatly enhances the probabilities of success in any pursuit 
that may be followed in life ; and the want of it often results 
in failure, poverty, vagabondism, and crime. Of course, the 
occupation or profession selected should be an honorable and 
useful one, and any occupation which is useful is honorable. 
When a congenital tendency or capacity is so marked as to 
confer extraordinary abilities for achievement in any line, it 
is termed Genius. It is thus undoubtedly within the power 
of parents, who will acquaint themselves with the law, and 
comply with its requirements, to confer even the coveted gifts 
of genius upon each and all of their offspring. Genius is not 
a thing of mere caprice, a freak of nature, or a gift of the 
gods, as has been supposed, but is no doubt as really the 
result of favoring ante-natal conditions (often unnoted), and 
as amendable to law, as is the production of a rarely superb 
flower or a specially delicious fruit under the hands of a skill- 
ful gardener. Its gifts are the exclusive heritage of no family, 
class, or position in life. The poor and humble may secure 
them for their children as readily as the wealthy and aristo- 
cratic, if they but learn and comply with the conditions. Is 
not this something worth knowing and living for? How 
incomparably more valuable are the qualities of genius than 
is material wealth ! In fact, genius, rightly directed and 
properly combined, can command the wealth of the world. 
Yet how many parents so assiduously devote their energies of 
both body and mind during their best years to " making 
money," in order, perhaps, that they may give their children 
" a start in life," that little of either physical or mental force 
remains to be imparted to these children. Consequently 
they become physical weaklings or mental incompetents. 
And the thought of endowing their offspring with the price- 



"70 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

less treasures of immortal genius never once occurs to these 
parents. 

But how may special tendencies and aptitudes be imparted? 
The facts and suggestions already submitted clearly indicate 
the methods. Let the parents, during the ten or twelve 
months antecedent to the birth of a child, interest themselves 
in, and prominently but cheerfully devote their minds to the 
occupation, profession, or department of human interest to 
which they wish to destine the child. If they cannot practi- 
cally engage in the chosen occupation, they may yet think, 
talk, read and study about it, and perhaps take opportunities 
to witness the labors of others who are engaged in it, and 
thus become conversant with its details. This, if done with 
pleasure and delight, can hardly fail of producing the desired 
result, In addition to all this is the power of aspiration. 
Let the mother cherish strong aspirations, breathed in earnest 
prayers, that her child may be what she desires. The psy- 
chological influence of such aspirations, at such a time can- 
not reasonably be questioned. No doubt, in the condition of 
receptivity or impressibility resultant from yearning aspiration 
or some other adequate cause, in one or both parents, at the 
time of inception or subsequently, is to be found the explana- 
tion of many cases of the occasional endowment of offspring 
with qualities far superior to what either parent has possessed. 
These seeming " freaks of nature " which have so puzzled 
students of heredity, would doubtless be found in strict 
accordance with law, were all the facts known. 

If a mother's choice as to the calling she would have her 
child pursue has been wisely made — if the character desired 
be a truly noble one, however common or humble — she may 
well make its attainment a subject of earnest prayer, which is 
but another word for aspiration. And in this connection let 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 71 

the reader recur to the case of the Quaker matron, whose 
daughter became a preacher, as narrated on page 36, with 
the comments thoreon. In that case is disclosed a further 
source of aid in giving a desirable bent to the tendencies 
of offspring, which is of momentous import to every mother. 

The mother of the first Napoleon, it is said, during the 
months preceding his birth, accompanied her husband upon 
a military campaign, and deeply interested herself in strategy 
and the arts of war. She thus conferred upon her child a 
genius jor human destruction, before which all Europe trembled 
for many years. How much nobler, through the operation 
of the same law, to impart a genius for human improvement, 
which shall cause earth and heaven to rejoice through all 
coming time. 

While the means above indicated may be worthily employed 
to impart a special aptitude for some chosen line of usefulness ; 
yet the plan of general culture before recommended should not 
be neglected— since every faculty or propensity normal to the 
human being is needed in due and harmonious exercise, as 
much by the child of genius as by less gifted mortals. Genius 
without morals is a dangerous possession. 

It may be thought important, by some, that if parents 
undertake to pre -determine the aptitudes of their children for 
special occupations in life, they should also be able to pre- 
determine their sex, since certain occupations are deemed 
unsuitable for females, and others for males. 

In reference to this, the writer has only to say that while 
it is probable, as Agassiz has declared with regard to domestic 
animals, that the determination of sex may ere long be in the 
hands of intelligent persons, yet he is not satisfied that the 
present state of physiological science affords any certain 
means of control in this matter. Different physiologists have 



72 PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

suggested diverse theories and plans relating thereto, but, as 
far as the writer can learn , all are attended with uncertainty. 
While this is the case, may we not pertinently ask, what 
valid objection is there to a person of either sex following any 
honorable pursuit, or performing any worthy function for hu- 
manity, for which he or she has a genius or a special fitness? 
The possession of such fitness for any department of service 
presupposes an ability to perform it well. And what matters 
the sex of a performer, so that humanity is well served? It 
would be difficult to name any honorable function in the 
whole range of human needs and capabilities that has not 
been worthily filled and honored by persons of both sexes. 
True genius will command respect, and justify itself, which- 
ever garb of sex it may wear. 

TIMES AND SEASONS. 

In so important an undertaking as the initiation of an im- 
mortal being, doubtless it is well to have due regard to times 
and seasons, Though the matter is one of much delicacy, 
yet our treatise would be incomplete without some reference 
to it. In the animal kingdom we observe that, as a general 
rule, instinct leads to the bringing forth of young in the 
spring-time, or in early summer. That seems to be Nature's 
phosen and orderly time for the ushering in of new life in all 
departments. Probably human beings may well give heed to 
an intimation so broadly given, unless, indeed, the interior 
leadings of the intending mother clearly guide her otherwise. 

Following Nature's lead in this matter, the periods devoted 
to special exercises successively for physical, mental and 
moral culture, for the benefit of the embryo, as suggested in 
preceding pages, will fall into those seasons of the year which 
are ordinarily best adapted for the respective purposes — as 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 73 

Summer and Autumn for travel and out-of-door exercises, 
and Winter for mental and moral improvement. 

But doubtless in all such matters, the clear spiritual intui- 
tions of the intending mother, when she seeks to be " led by 
the spirit," are the most authoritative guide. 

CONCLUSION. 

To what grander achievement can either woman or man 
aspire than to be an artist in that noblest of arts, the mould- 
ing and rearing of immortal beings? Fadeless renown has 
crowned the efforts of gifted sculptors and limners in the past 
to portray the perfect ideal of the " human form divine." 
That field of High Art is open to comparatively few com- 
petitors — those fortunately endowed with rare genius. But 
thf re is a field of Higher Art, worthy of still greater honor — 
as much greater as the living perfect man is better than a 
senseless image. And this field is open to almost every one, 
even the humblest, through the means set forth in the fore- 
going treatise. Yes ! the godlike privilege is brought within 
the reach of the great mass of those now entering the prime 
of manhood and womanhood, as well as of those who have 
not yet passed its noontime, of endowing with the noble gifts of 
genius their own sons and daughters, however lowly born. 

Young men and women of America — fathers and motkers 
of the future race — will you not accept this high privilege, 
and prove yourselves worthy of it? 

THE END. 



WOMEN AS BOOKSELLERS. 



DeWitt Talmage says, " I always feel like lifting my hat to the 
book agent, because he is doing more good than I can ever hope 
to do;" and no doubt he does lift his hat to nearly everyone who 
approaches him, for he is a thorough gentleman, and the majority 
of itinerant booksellers to-day are women. 

It is a remarkable fact that in this difficult but honorable call- 
ing many women have been notably successful. If you could look 
up the lists of our numerous book publishers right here in Chicago 
you would find that everywhere the names of energetic women 
crowd the pages, and their recorded orders often are the heaviest. 

One is tempted to ask why this is. The wag might suggest her 
"ready tongue," but if the condition is looked squarely in the face 
the answer is pertinent. Woman finds herself compelled to do, 
and she follows the good rule of doing that which is nearest at 
hand, and she does it with her might. 

If one could follow up these before-mentioned publishers' lists 
and look back of each name written there into the bit of history 
it stands for, what volumes could be written of incidents — brave, 
pathetic, and heart-stirring perhaps! It would tell of a home, 
may be, kept bountifully by the outside efforts of the same hands 
that knead the bread ; in another case it would tell of the great 
self-sacrifice of one for many; of mothers educating their 
daughters; of daughters supporting helpless parents; of sisters 
and brothers giving each other "a lift." 

Why do women succeed in their undertakings ? Simply because 
there is always some heart-reason bound up in their efforts, some 
motive for others that prompts their doings. And, besides all 
this, the majority of women will not handle a publication which 
they cannot personally recommend, or the teachings c*f which they 
are not in some way specially interested in spreading. Their ready 
sympathies and quick instincts make them alive to the right way 
of proceeding and the most telling thing to say to parties they are 
dealing with. A woman makes a good choice of a work and in« 
troduces it with enthusiasm. 



"The greatest public benefactor is the man (or woman either) 
who sells good books," says Gladstone; and Spurgeon echoes his 
words: "There is no other calling or occupation so honorable or 
so beneficial to mankind." The old prejudice against the "book 
agent " is dying out, and it is everywhere becoming a recognized 
fact that the one who carries the book t« the reader is second 
only to the mind which produced it. 

This growing idea is largely due to the fact that liberal-minded, 
energetic, progressive women are taking hold of the active work of 
canvassing, often doing it with an idea of philanthropy as well as 
self-support. A woman who puts on her armor of tact and dis- 
cretion, securely buckling it with a determined purpose, wins every 
time — if not a subscription to her book, at least the respect of the 
person she has approached. 

Book-selling is in reality a profession, demanding a special apti- 
tude and genius; but one good thing about it is, it takes no pro- 
tracted time for preparation. What alone is necessary is to be 
well-informed as to all sides of the special work to be presented, 
and, through experience and careful study, to " know people " and 
how to get at them. And who can do this better than a woman ? 

"Tact and Tactics" is a good motto for the book canvasser, 
and where is the woman who has not practiced both? 

It has been proven that a woman is specially successful in book- 
selling and can " make it pay " to take up this vocation when she 
has failed in other directions. — Inter Ocean, Feb. 7, 1891. 



A WOMAN'S HIT. 



Seldom does a woman hit the mark so squarely for her sex and herself as has 
Dr. Alice B. Stockham, of Chicago, the well-known author of "Tokology, a 
Book for Every Woman." She has set up business on a purely "woman's 
basis," viz.: A book for every woman, written by a woman, published by a 
woman, canvassed almost exclusively by women, and bought by women. The 
book is in its 160th thousand, an average of 20,000 a year having been sold, 
which gives a good idea of how successful this "woman's enterprise" has been. 
An agent having this book in her hand finds no "dead" territory. — Union 
Signal, Feb 19, 189 1. 



WHAT ONE BOOK HAS ACCOMPLISHED. 



Everyone has heard of the book " Tokology, a Book for Every 
Woman," which for years has been making such a stir and pro- 
jecting its marvelous doctrines over the world in many languages. 
It is interesting to know what this one book has accomplished. 

It established in business its author, Dr. Alice B. Stockham, 
with a large office staff: it gives work not only to the printers and 
binders, but to thousands of workers in the field — for one can im- 
agine how many busy agents it takes to sell 20,000 volumes a year. 
Scarcely one-tenth of the profit falls into the coffers of the firm, yet 
because of the enormous sales they realize a substantial income. 

The demand for Tokology sent its worthy author to Europe in 
1889, and the result was the establishment of an enormous foreign 
trade. Her interest was aroused while abroad to the efficacy of 
the Slojd system of manual training, which led her to establish an 
institute in her home city for its study, she giving liberally to its 
support. Afterwards the "Stockham Park" investment was made 
— the " garden spot" of the Garden City (north of Chicago on the 
Sheridan Road) — the place being purchased to give occasion for 
the practical working out of Dr. Stockham's social ideas. Her 
own house adorns the inner drive of the Park, a son also building 
a home within the boundaries. 

Tokology has enabled its proprietors to take a lively and gen- 
erous interest in public and educational charities, at one time sup- 
porting a free Kindergarten; besides this they hold active positions 
in societies and reform clubs. 

Is this not a great work to stand as the result of the writing of 
one book? — The Woman's Tribune, Feb. 189 1. 

: few know with what marked attention Dr. Alice B. Stockham, the author 
IKOLOGY, and a typical American business woman, has been received 
\ She is the first American woman ever honored by a reception given by 
the Woman's Club of Helsingfors, Finland. The President of this Club, the 
Baroness Gripenberg, is to put Tokology into Swedish. Dr. Stockham's de- 
parture for St. Petersburg was an ovation. The comments on her bravery in 
venturing alone into the country of the Czar were received by her with her 
7 i smiling composure. She found her presence much needed in Moscow, 
where the translation of Tokology into the Russian language is being effected 
under the able supervision of Count Tolstoi. — Cincinnati School Record. 



TOKOLOGY 



A Book for Every Woman, L9 
ALICE B. STOCKHAM. M. D. 
Illustrated. Over 200,000 sold. 

Tokology teaches possible painless pregnancy and parturition, giving 
full, plain directions for the care of a woman before and after confine- 
ment. The ailments of pregnancy can be prevented as well as the pains 
and dangers of childbirth avoided and women need not go down to death 
giving birth to children. This knowledge is a 

BOON TO EVERY WOMAN. 

Tokology also treats upon Dyspepsia, Constipation, Headache, 
Neuralgia, Biliousness, etc. Physicians say that the chapter upon Con- 
stipation is the best treatise ever written upon the subject, and alone 
is worth the price of the book. Chapters on Menstruation and the dis- 
eases of women and children are added in the New and Revised Edition. 
They are especially helpful in home treatment. Change of Life is han- 
dled in a plain, common-sense style. For the first time, directions are 
given for overcoming the prevailing fear regarding this period. Limita- 
tion of offspring and Control of Sex are discussed ably and delicately. It 
is of all private medical guides the favorite. The following are a few 
among thousands of testimonials received: 

When I opened the bsok, and saw the strong, sweet face of its writer, 
I knew I should find nothing but good in its pages. It is written with 
delicacy, bravery and wisdom. I wish every woman in the land could 
read it. — Marietta Holley, "Josiah Allen's Wife." 

Enclosed find $5.50 for two copies of Tokology. I have read the 
book and consider it worth its weight in gold. — Mrs. G. W. Banfield. 

I cannot say how much I admire you for writing Tokology. That one 
work is enough to immortalize you for all time. — Mrs. I. H. Dickinson. 

I like canvassing for Tokology 100 times better than teaching. -An Agt. 

I sincerely thank you for this avenue for self-support which you have 
Opened for women in canvassing for Tokology. — Ella Hiscock. 

Tokology is indeed a bible for every woman. — Frances E. Salisbury. 

Tokology was given me by my physician, Dr. Harriet Judd Sartain, of 
Phil idelphia.a classmate of Dr. Stockham's. It is one of the greatest books 
ever written by woman I am a happy example of its teaching. I was 
a student at "Bryn Mawr College" all last year and worked hard attend- 
ing lectures to June 1st. The baby came July 36th and in all that time I 
had neither ache nor pain. Dr. calls her a "Bryn Mawr College" baby, 
as I attended lectures in mathematics and physics, as well as working in 
the laboratory. — Mrs. Macfarlane. 

Tokology is doing more for women than all the other books put to- 
gether It reaches so many, It is preparing the way so nicely, too, for 
hygenic physicians.— Your friend, Clara B. Willis, M. D. Clarinda, la. 

In my recommendation of Tokology I am only one among the masses 
of physicians who wish it a place in every family. In whatever family 
such a reliable book is found the practice of the physician is there easier 
and pleasanter — Respectfully submitted, W W, Gailey, M. D. 

I remained in the hot sitz bath until perspiration was induced and in 
^ very few minutes the babe was br»rn with but very little pain. I have 
been sitting up in bed since the tlurd day, sewing, pearing apples, etc. 
I feel very grateful to you, dear Doctor, for writing Tokology, for I attri- 
bute to its teachings my easy confinement and rapid recovery. May 
God bless you in your noble work for the enlightenment of suffering 
women We call our baby Alice and shall ever speak in praise of 
Tokology.— Mrs. G. W. Light, Robinson, 111. 

I bought two Tokologys and gave them to two young ladies as wedding 
presents, saying to «ach: This book will do for your body, what the Bible 
does, for your soul. They write me that I told the truth.-Mrs. A. D. Morris. 

I have a little girl two weeks old, weighed 13 lbs. at birth. I had the 
most wonderful delivery and recovery imaginable I owe it all to 
Tnkoloqy, — Mollie S. Lowe. 
Price, prepaid (English or German) 82.75. Best Terms to Agents. 

ALICE B. STOCKHAM & CO., 
277 Madison St., CHICAGO, ILL. 



TRUE MANHOOD S^SS 

HERD. Physician, Maine. "The value of True Manhood as a 
guide to young men can hardly be overestimated." The Independent: 
"We cannot conceive of a book on such a subject, written in a more 
reverent and cleanly spirit." Housekeeper, Minneapolis, Minn.: 

"A new and valuable book, especially adapted to form a high type of 
manly character." 

Mrs. F. M'C Harris, [Hope Ledyard] Supt. for Mother's Meetings for 
the W. C. T. U. Brooklyn, N. Y. I like the book very much indeed. It 
takes just the stand that should be taken on these matters, and will be of 
great assistance to mothers. 

S. Bishop, M. D. Language utterly fails me in expressing my 
appreciation of this book. It ought to be in every family. 

One mother writes. It gives just the help I need in training my sons, 
would not be without it for a hundred dollars. 

Rev. B. F, DeCosta. The best of the kind I have ever seen. I 
should be very glad to see it placed in the hands of the youth of this 
country, as well as circulated among parents and guardians. 

Levant Binding, prepaid, $1.65. Revised and Illustrated, nearly 
400 pages. 

FOR GIRLS. 

A Supplement to School Physiology. By MRS. £. R. SHEPHER5 

THIS VALUABLE WORK SHOULD BE READ BY EVERY GIRL. 

It treats on the Functions of Woman, Menstruation, Cause and Pre- 
vention of Disease, Relation to Young Men, Marriage and Motherhood. 

"A difficult task executed with judgment and discretion, the word in 
time which mothers find it difficult to say to their daughters, and often 
fatally procrastinate.''— Jennie June. 

"For Girls is a book of unusual fitness for its mission." — Dr. M. 
Augusta Fairchild. 

'T give it my hearty sanction. While treating of questions of the 
most vital interest, it is notable for purity of thought and diction." — 
Glemencr S. Lozier, M. D. 

"I most unreservedly recommend it to pare 
Caroline B. Winslow, M. D. Postpaid $1.00. 

SCIENCE OF A NEW LIFE. 

By JOHN COWAN, M. D. 

A complete marriage guide. It treats of generation and regen- 
eration of the human race, and has- received testimonials and strong 
commendations from leading medical and religious critics. The follow, 
ing is a selection from its table of contents: 

Marriage and its Advantages, Age at which to Marry, The Law of 
Choice, Qualities the Man should Avoid in Choosing, Qualities the 
Woman should Avoid in Choosing, Anatomy and Physiology of Genera- 
tion, Children — their Desirability, Pregnancy — its signs and duration. 
Diseases Peculiar to Women, Diseases Peculiar to Men, Sterility and Im- 
potence, A Happy Married Life— How Secured. 

"I heartily recommend it to every mot'.ier in the land." — Elizabeth 
Cady Stanton. "Should be put into the hands of every young married 
couple. '—Alice B. Stockham, M. D. "One of the wisest, purest an! 
most helpful treatises on sexual physiology. 1 ' — The Christian Union. 

The book is a handsome 8vo, over 400 pages, illustrated. 

Price Prepaid $3.00. 



Address, 

ALICE B. STOCKHAM & CO , Publishers, 

277 Madison St., Chicago, Ills. 



Xj«r*7S7" lk£E«£t$3.o E£t,sy\ 

{Ignorance of the law excuses no one.) 
A BOOK FOR T^E PEOPLE BY L. J. ROBINSON. LLB., 

Member of the Suffolk (Massachusetts) Bar. 
A guide to Every-day People in Every-day Life, 

both business and domestic, teaching them how they may Keep Out 
Of Legal Difficulties. Ninety-nine cases out of every hundred 
that are tried in ali the courts of the country might have been 
avoided by the possession and exercise of a little correct information. 

On ail Business Matters which arise in the ordinary course 
of life, LAw MADE EASY gives Very full Instruct- 
ions which may be readily comprehended and immediately applied. 

The information upon Marriage and Divorce will prevent a 
vast amount of sorrow and trouble. One is no longer at the mercy Of 
so-called Lawyers, who tra e unscrupulously upon the confi- 
dence of the people. 

'Wills, the duties of Executors, Administrators and 
Guardians are subjects of great importance. 

The essential points in regard to the making of Contracts and 
Negotiable Paper, also the rights and responsibilities of both 
parties to a Zease, are clearly stated. 

Laws which govern Debtor and Creditor, including the 
chapters on Assig-nments, -Attacljments, Garnish- 
ment and Mortgages are of priceelss value. 

The demand for knowledge concerning the Commercial Law 
of the country, and the iawofTorts, regulating the right of an indi- 
vidual to .Recover Damag-es for wrongs committed against 
him, is fully met. 

The book contains nearly ZOO Pages, is printed on Good 
Paper and is bound in PULL SHEEP, Law Library Style. 
Price Prepaid, S3.50. Best "Terms to Agents, 
Alice B. Stockham & Co., 277 Madison St., Chicago, 111. 

NURSERY FINCER PLAYS, ?£ft*3£5 

book for mothers to use in the Nursery! Eighteen complete Games. 

Work for baby to do with his fingers! All of his pet games and 
plays and many new ones are set to sweet music and expressive motions. 
Many of these delight him as does his first "pat-a-cake" while others in- 
terest and instruct the older children. 

Every Game Illustrated! Every Song Story set to Music! 

No better gift book to a mother with a baby. 

Price prepaid, $1.25. Best terms to Agents. 

Alice B. Stockham & Co., 

277 Madison St., Chicago, HI. 



LAW OF CHILDHOOD ^ v nd N her ff a ffi; b L?rf 

W. JN. Mailman, one ot 
America's original interpreters of the philosophy of the child mind. 

For Parents wishing to look into the study of education for the 
young this book is most clear and practical. 

For Teachers seeking a knowledge of Froebel's methods, no 
better interpreter can be found than Erof. Hailmann. 

Contents. — Law of Childhood. The Specific Use of the Kindergarten. 
The Soul of Froebel's Gifts. The Kindergarten a School for Mothers. 

Price prepaid in Flexible cloth binding, 40 cents. 

Alice B. Stockham & Co.. 277 Madison St., Chicago, 111. 



PRE-NATAL CULTURE. 

Suggestions to parents relative to systematic methods of moulding the 
tendencies of offspring before birth. By A. E. NEWTON. With Intro- 
duction by ALICE B. STOCKHAM, M. D. An excellent manual for 
parents. It gives a high ideal to parentage, and eloquently portrays the 
mother's influence on the child. 

" To the well-born child all the virtues are natural, not painfully 
acquired."—/?. W. Emerson. 

Paper, post-paid, 25 cents. 



MOTHERS' PORTFOLIO. 

A BOOK FOR EVERY MOTHER. 

a Standard work, Fresh, Bright, Earnest, Practical, Strong, Wise 

and Useful. No book is so fertile in suggestions, so helpful in sur- 
mounting the difficulties which arise in Every- Day Life with the 
Little Folks. Amusements, Occupation and Instruction combined, 
Card Sewing, Number Lessons, Paper Cutting, Paper Snipping for 
Babies, Slat weaving, Mat Weaving, Sand Play, Peas and Stick Work, 
Block Building, Paper Folding, Flower Study, Summer Work at Home 
which can be made by baby fingers, and Christmas Presents are 
all described in detail. 

The Stories are full of delight; each carries with it Life Lessons for 
the Children, and Help and Strength for Parents. 

The Music is simple and choice, cultivating a correct musical taste 

The Songs and Games will enliven many a winter evening ar"' 
summer twilight. 

Talks with Children open to them the study of Nature, in the thhlj 
about them. 

The text throughout is aided by 185 practical illustrations, and 

SIXTEEN ELEGANT FULL PAGE PLATES. 

Mrs. Swain, a teacher in Indiana, who has sold many copies, says: 

"I cannot express my admiration for Mothers' Portfolio; it is SO 
complete, so grandly helpful to those who have in charge the training of 
little children It is a rare gem, with the most beautiful setting the 
printer's art could give. I handle its pages with a tenderness that is 
akin to reverence." 

A lady agent in Victoria, B. C, who sold 125 copies of Mothers' 
Portfolio, in less than two months, writes that a Kindergarten has been 
established there as a result of the introduction of this excellent book. 
She adds, that she takes great delight in the sale of this work. 

A mother writes: 

"I cannot say too much in praise of Mothers' Portfolio. It is a daily 
delight to my three and five year olds who are already 'folding, sewing,' 
etc., and who tease for reading fromi t every night. It is a comprehensive 
helpful, stimulating book. I wish every mother in the world owned it 
and would study it." 

It is the Largest, Handsomest, and Most 

Valuable Book for the Family Ever 

Published for the Money. 

A Royal Quarto volume of over 400 pages, bound in exquisite doubla 
lithograph cover. BEST TERMS TO AGENTS. Price $2.25. 

ALICE B STOCKHAM & CO., 277 Madison St, Chicago. 



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